Question

1 planetary motion and gravitation (continued)
identify three reasons cavendish’s investigation was important.

Explanation:

1. Measured Gravitational Constant (\(G\)): Cavendish's experiment determined the value of \(G\), which was crucial for calculating the mass of Earth (using \(F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}\) and Earth’s surface gravity).
2. Validated Universal Gravitation: It provided experimental proof for Newton’s law of universal gravitation at laboratory scales, confirming gravity acts between small masses as it does between celestial bodies.
3. Enabled Celestial Mass Calculations: Knowing \(G\) allowed scientists to calculate the mass of the Earth, Sun, and other planets (e.g., using orbital mechanics and \(G\) to find \(M=\frac{gR^2}{G}\) for Earth’s mass).

Answer:

1. Measured the gravitational constant \(G\), enabling Earth’s mass calculation.
2. Experimentally confirmed Newton’s law of universal gravitation for small masses.
3. Provided a foundation for calculating the mass of celestial bodies (Earth, Sun, planets) using gravitational theory.