How did scientists from before 1900’s measure the Earth’s weight and other planets/stars
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They didn’t really measure them. They calculated them using assumptions about density and mass. For example, if you know the diameter of the earth, and you make an estimate of its average density, you can calculate its mass. Of course, in the 1800s, they didn’t know what we do now. But even today, that’s how we calculate the mass of celestial objects.
Also, we can observe how other objects behave around the earth and other objects which allow us to deduce their mass.
They didn’t really measure them. They calculated them using assumptions about density and mass. For example, if you know the diameter of the earth, and you make an estimate of its average density, you can calculate its mass. Of course, in the 1800s, they didn’t know what we do now. But even today, that’s how we calculate the mass of celestial objects.
Also, we can observe how other objects behave around the earth and other objects which allow us to deduce their mass.
They didn’t really measure them. They calculated them using assumptions about density and mass. For example, if you know the diameter of the earth, and you make an estimate of its average density, you can calculate its mass. Of course, in the 1800s, they didn’t know what we do now. But even today, that’s how we calculate the mass of celestial objects.
Also, we can observe how other objects behave around the earth and other objects which allow us to deduce their mass.
The Cavendish experiment in the late 1700s found the density of the earth within 1% of actual by seeing how two massive objects interacted via gravity.
Newton’s law of gravity states that the force from gravity between two objects is equal to the “gravitational constant” multiplied by the product of their masses divided by the distance between their center of masses squared. F= G(m1)(m2)/r^(2).
He didn’t directly measure what we call the gravitational constant, G, but his experiment gives the necessary data. By measuring the force the two known masses exert on each other, as well as their distance, G can be derived. Then, because we know the radius of earth (r) and the mass of some object (m) and its weight (F) then the mass of the earth (M) can be found. M=F(r^(2))/(mG)
The Cavendish experiment in the late 1700s found the density of the earth within 1% of actual by seeing how two massive objects interacted via gravity.
Newton’s law of gravity states that the force from gravity between two objects is equal to the “gravitational constant” multiplied by the product of their masses divided by the distance between their center of masses squared. F= G(m1)(m2)/r^(2).
He didn’t directly measure what we call the gravitational constant, G, but his experiment gives the necessary data. By measuring the force the two known masses exert on each other, as well as their distance, G can be derived. Then, because we know the radius of earth (r) and the mass of some object (m) and its weight (F) then the mass of the earth (M) can be found. M=F(r^(2))/(mG)
The Cavendish experiment in the late 1700s found the density of the earth within 1% of actual by seeing how two massive objects interacted via gravity.
Newton’s law of gravity states that the force from gravity between two objects is equal to the “gravitational constant” multiplied by the product of their masses divided by the distance between their center of masses squared. F= G(m1)(m2)/r^(2).
He didn’t directly measure what we call the gravitational constant, G, but his experiment gives the necessary data. By measuring the force the two known masses exert on each other, as well as their distance, G can be derived. Then, because we know the radius of earth (r) and the mass of some object (m) and its weight (F) then the mass of the earth (M) can be found. M=F(r^(2))/(mG)
The speed at which something orbits a planet or star depends on the mass of the planet or star and the radius of the orbit. The mass of the thing doing the orbiting doesnt matter.
So you can measure the relative speed of say Ganymede, and the radius of the orbit and get the mass of Jupiter from that.
You don’t need to know how much Ganymede weighs. The speed and orbit radius can be seen and measured with a telescope.
The speed at which something orbits a planet or star depends on the mass of the planet or star and the radius of the orbit. The mass of the thing doing the orbiting doesnt matter.
So you can measure the relative speed of say Ganymede, and the radius of the orbit and get the mass of Jupiter from that.
You don’t need to know how much Ganymede weighs. The speed and orbit radius can be seen and measured with a telescope.
The speed at which something orbits a planet or star depends on the mass of the planet or star and the radius of the orbit. The mass of the thing doing the orbiting doesnt matter.
So you can measure the relative speed of say Ganymede, and the radius of the orbit and get the mass of Jupiter from that.
You don’t need to know how much Ganymede weighs. The speed and orbit radius can be seen and measured with a telescope.
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