What are some ways people in the 17th and 18th century tried to compute the mass of the earth?

Question

I need resources as well

Answer 1

In 1774, the Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, used astronomical observations of the deflection of the vertical on either side of the isolated Scottish mountain Schiehallion to estimate the ratio between the Earth's weight and the mountain's. His result was out by about 20%, but the observations were very difficult.

Answer 2

I dont think of of that any of the extra cutting-side-day concepts of computing mass of the earth (by utilising astronomy and allure of option a lot in section, extreme speed photos of things falling in a vacuume) etc incredibly must be properly utilized indoors the seventeenth 18th century. to finished that ought to require a lot extra precise time keeping and photos which incorporate the theoretical suggestions of Newton as to the way gravity works. a coarse approximation must be made by utilising in basic terms looking the quantity of the earth (by capacity of utilising actuality they knew it replaced into type of a sphere, and that they knew the diameter to indoors some %). Then all one has to do is approximate the mass of an time-honored piece of the earth by utilising weighing rocks of commonplace quantity. i ought to suspect that they did no longer know the density of the middle of the earth as properly as we do at present yet they might easily be indoors the wonderful acceptable ballpark +/- 50% with this physique of concepts. As for further acceptable estimates the formula in touch a gravitational consistent, and on a similar time as newton might have desperate one among those consistent existed his guess replaced into probable somewhat off formula the accuracy of the "consistent" of gravity it is needed to return around the load of the earth must be lacking I doubt that they might do a lot extra acceptable. Cavendish found out the load of the earth by utilising measuring the gravitiational consistent indoors the splendid of it sluggish determination (1798). as rapidly using fact the gravitationl consistent must be desperate properly, and distances commonplace then the formula must be utilized.

Answer 3

Henry Cavendish and the torsion balance.

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