Abstract
The Eotvos Gravity Balance in the Science Museum, South Kensington, is described, and the theory of its operation considered. A full account is given of certain preliminary experiments made on the torsion wires, with a view to ascertaining the daily variation of the equilibrium position, due to strains set up in the wires during manufacture. Until this daily shift has been eliminated the instrument cannot be employed successfully. The experiments show that a preliminary treatment of the wires is desirable, and a test was also made of the baking method recommended by Eotvos for ageing the wires. This method was found to give the desired result, and after this treatment the reading of the instrument remained practically constant from day to day. Tables are given showing the variation in the reading of the instrument when its beam is rotated into different azimuths, and the constancy of these readings when repeated. The differences in the readings as the azimuth varies are sufficiently marked to indicate the changes in the local gravitational field of the laboratory, and further experiments are being carried out to determine these changes in detail, as a preliminary to field tests; it is hoped to communicate the results of these experiments at a later date.
Published Version
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