2007-01-16 03:53:25 · 4 answers · asked by Ganbatteru 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Look up Cavendish experiment.
He used a torsion pendulum to measure the gravitational force between two lead masses in the laboratory.
This is sometimes called "weighing the earth", because it lets us calculate the mass of the earth given the radius and acceleration it causes.
2007-01-16 03:58:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It can't be calculated, it's got to be measured. And it's a difficult experiment, which is why it's known to so few decimal places, compared to other physical constants.
A real "theory of everything" might, in principle, allow you to calculate the value of G, or relate it to other physical constants. That hasn't happened yet.
2007-01-16 12:43:21 · answer #2 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bekki B's got it.
See Wikipedia
2007-01-16 14:23:07 · answer #3 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I deleted my answer because it was total hogwash. Sorry.
2007-01-16 12:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by catarthur 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋