Measurement of gravitational constan t G between 30 t steel plate and 5 kg iron ball
In 2008, we proposed the “New Experimental Scheme for Measuring the Gravitational Constant <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>G</mml:mi> </mml:math> between Large-Mass Objects”. In 2021, this scheme was implemented, yielding a new value of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>G</mml:mi> </mml:math> : 9.09×10 -9 N·m 2 /kg 2 . By contrast, the currently internationally recognized value is 6.67259×10 -11 N·m 2 /kg 2 . The discrepancy between these two values is so significant that it cannot be adequately explained by traditional theories. To address this issue, a permanent experimental platform was established in early June 2023 at the new campus of Neijiang Normal University, enabling a repeat of the experiment. Based on this platform, an additional experimental measurement was conducted, resulting in a new <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>G</mml:mi> </mml:math> value of 7.3827302×10 -10 N·m 2 /kg 2 . Subsequently, we analyzed the causes of the significant difference between the latest measured value and the first one. And we also performed a comparative analysis between the new experiment and the traditional Cavendish torsion balance experiment. The results demonstrated that the new experimental system features fewer error sources and higher stability. These new <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>G</mml:mi> </mml:math> values suggest that the gravitational constant may not be a true constant; instead, it could be related to factors such as the shape and density of objects etc.
Authors
- Xinlong Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2665-8797)
- Qinggui Hu
Institutions
- Neijiang Normal University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Measurements in Engineering
- Published
- 2026-02-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.21595/jme.2026.25102
- Primary Topic
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Neijiang Normal University