Cavendish Experiment

The Cavendish Experiment, conducted by Henry Cavendish in 1797-98, measures the Earth's density by observing the gravitational attraction between known masses. It uses a sensitive torsion balance—a horizontal bar suspended by a thin wire with small lead spheres attached. Nearby larger lead spheres create a gravitational pull, causing the bar to twist. By measuring this twist, scientists calculate the force between the masses. Combining this data with Newton's law of gravitation allows for determining the Earth's mass and density, providing fundamental insights into our planet's composition.