Testing universal gravitation in the laboratory, or the significance of research on the mean density of the earth and big G, 1798–1898: changing pursuits and long-term methodological–experimental continuity

Logic, mathematics, physics: from a loose thread to the close link: Or what gravity is for both logic and mathematics rather than only for physics

“…Particularly, Newton himself understood his scientific undertaking to describe a physical force or interaction (such as the three fundamental ones meant by the Standard model 18 Riemann 1854. 19 Poincaré 1882; 1902 20 Newton's conception of universal gravitation is widely discussed even nowadays: Slavov 2019; Cunha, Tort 2017;Nacer, Eddine 2016;Sim 2015;Lunteren 1993;Ducheyne 2011;2006b;Nauenberg 2005;Tanona 2000;Onofrio 1998;Ihmig 1993;Dieks 1987;Cushing 1982;Waff 1976;Poultney 1971;Wilson 1970;Westfall 1967;etc. nowadays), called by him universal gravitation 21 , thoroughly and perfectly mathematically in the framework of philosophy, "Philosophiae Naturalis" (in English, Natural Philosophy).…”

Logic, mathematics, physics: from a loose thread to the close link: Or what gravity is for both logic and mathematics rather than only for physics

“…Particularly, Newton himself understood his scientific undertaking to describe a physical force or interaction (such as the three fundamental ones meant by the Standard model 18 Riemann 1854. 19 Poincaré 1882; 1902 20 Newton's conception of universal gravitation is widely discussed even nowadays: Slavov 2019; Cunha, Tort 2017;Nacer, Eddine 2016;Sim 2015;Lunteren 1993;Ducheyne 2011;2006b;Nauenberg 2005;Tanona 2000;Onofrio 1998;Ihmig 1993;Dieks 1987;Cushing 1982;Waff 1976;Poultney 1971;Wilson 1970;Westfall 1967;etc. nowadays), called by him universal gravitation 21 , thoroughly and perfectly mathematically in the framework of philosophy, "Philosophiae Naturalis" (in English, Natural Philosophy).…”

The Cavendish Experiment as a Tool for Historical Understanding of Science

“…In order to minimize the ''influence of any accidental or sudden change of temperature [i.e., as Cavendish has pointed out, the most significant source of error] in the room,'' an octagonal wooden frame was built around the horizontal portion of the mahogany box and the support of the leaden balls (ibid., p. 13). 39 Accordingly, Baily made sure that the surfaces of the masses could not approach the torsion box nearer than about an inch, ''conceiving that this increased distance would be a sufficient protection,'' 38 See Ducheyne (2011) for a detailed overview. 39 Baily noted that Cavendish' experimental set-up suffered from the unprotected state of the torsion box: ''[i]n both cases the masses were brought up almost close to the outer side of this wooden shaft, but without actually touching it: but no mention is made of the application of any intervening substance to guard against a change of temperature on the approach of the masses'' (Baily 1843, p. 35).…”