Summary
The Eötvös method to investigate the dependence of the Earth attraction on the substance considered is diseussed in terms of the recently proposed interaction of intermediate range. A null result of the Eötvös experiment is to be expected in a flat, horizontal and symmetric environment. Significant results can, however, be expected in the presence of a steep slope of the soil or of other sizeable asymmetries. The comparison of the Eötvös results with other geophysical information is rediscussed accordingly.
Riassunto
II significato di misure col metodo di Eötvös per il confronto dell’attrazione terrestre su sostanze diverse è discusso nell’ipotesi di una nuova interazione di range intermedio, quale quella recentemente proposta da Fishbachet al. Nella situazione ideale in cui il suolo fosse esattamente orizzontale e simmetrico attorno al punto di misura, il risultato dovrebbe comunque essere zero anche in presenza della nuova forza. Risultati non nulli possono essere determinati da una pendenza del suolo o da altre asimmetrie. Di conseguenza, devono essere riesaminate le conclusioni del confronto tra i risultati di Eötvös e le altre informazioni geofisiche.
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References
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Actually, the identity of the inertial mass with the gravitational mass involved in the (infinite range) gravitational interaction is proved to hold within 10−9 by the experiment comparing the acceleration of different substances in the field of the sun. SeeP. G. Roll, R. Krotkov andR. H. Dicke:Ann. Phys. (N. Y.),26, 442 (1964).
In ref. (1), the value of the quantity (proportional to the interaction strength)f 2ɛ(R/λ), derived from the regression line of fig. 1 with the assumption Δa/g≈κ, comes out to be ∼4.6·10−42 e 2,i.e. somewhat larger than the value 2.8·10−43 e 2 inferred from geophysical results. Actually, if one takes into account that only the horizontal part is significant, only a lower limit forf 2(R/λ) (of the order of 7.8·10−45 e 2) can be obtained from the regression line.
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Work presented, in a preliminary form, at the «Workshop on the possible discovery of a Fifth Force» (Frascati, 17-1-1986).
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Bizzeti, P.G. Significance of the Eötvös method for the investigation of intermediate-range forces. Nuov Cim B 94, 80–86 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02721579
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02721579