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Towards a better determination of Big G

POSTER

Abstract

The Newtonian gravitational constant, G, is a fundamental constant in nature not linked by any complete theories to other forces of nature. Compared to all other fundamental constants, G is known with the least precision. Over the last 200 years, its value has been repeatedly measured, and leading experiments have produced values which are incompatible with one another. Compared to the most precise experiment, some measured values differ by up to 50 times the experimental uncertainty. Recently, two experiments have measured consistent results at the 12 ppm level. After examination of the methodology used in previous measurements, the research group at IUPUI, in collaboration with Humboldt State University and Syracuse University, will use multiple approaches to determine G within a singular torsion pendulum apparatus. We expect to obtain a measurement at the 2 ppm level using these new methods. By continuing the use of a torsion pendulum apparatus, we also hope to better understand the current discrepancies among previous experimental results. This poster will focus on the implementations made to help obtain a more precise measurement of G.

Authors

  • Emily Ord

    Humboldt State University

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland

  • Ina Flood

    Saleh Research Centre, University of Hawaii at Manoa, California State University, Long Beach, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, California State University, Long Beach Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Davis, Donostia International Physics Center, Yale University, Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, Heidelberg University, Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis, Humboldt State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, University of California Santa Cruz, STAR Teacher Program, Monta Vista High School, Saint Francis High School, Lawrenceville School, INAF, Ben-Gurion University, STScI, University of California, Los Angeles, Wuhan University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Maryland