Physics

Centuries on, Newton’s gravitational constant still can’t be pinned down

Different labs’ measurements of the strength of gravity don’t agree

An illustration of a hand dropping a weight with a blue sky background.

Big G, known formally as Newton’s gravitational constant, describes the strength of gravity. But its precise value remains a mystery.

Neil Webb

By James R. Riordon

- More than 2 years ago

There was a secret inside the envelope in the hands of Stephan Schlamminger, one of the world’s leading experts in experimental tests of gravity.