Conduct Gravitational Mass Experiment
Conducting gravitational mass experiments on these magnets is far easier than one might suspect. The four different magnet objects, the control would make no sense, that will need to be placed on an analytical balance to determine if gravitational mass and/or inertial mass is being altered by magnetic fields, especially the NSNS magnetic field.
If gravitational mass is being altered by the shape of the magnetic field being put out then some magnet objects should weigh more than the others. Since each magnet object is made from identical components then if there is a difference in mass it has to be due to the alteration of gravitational mass by the magnetic field.
- Let’s Look at the Material Requirements
- Hypotheses to Explain Magnet Free-Fall Differences
- Preparing the Analytical Balance to Weigh Magnets
- Calibrate the Balance
- Weigh the Different Magnet Objects
1. Let’s Look at the Material Requirements
Assuming you have the parts and tools from the previous guide sections there are only a few materials we need for this section.
| Item | Price | Quantity | Total | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Balance | $124.55 | 1 | $124.55 | https://www.amazon.com/Bonvoisin-5000g-Calibration-Weight-Save-Dollars/dp/B09XHGG89B |
| XPS Foam 1’x1’x20mm (8-pack) | $43.99 | 1 | $43.99 | https://www.amazon.com/Insulation-Polystyrene-Rectangles-Insulating-Modeling/dp/B0BLH7DQ9M/ |
| Grand Total | $168.54 | |||
2. Hypotheses to Explain Magnet Free-Fall Differences
Objects with gravitational mass equal to their inertial mass all fall at the same rate. For an object to fall faster than a normal object the ratio of gravitational mass to inertial mass must be unequal.
There are three possible hypotheses I have come to that would explain the runaway acceleration seen in the Free-Fall experiment with object NSNS which is moving in the direction of north pole to south pole that is not seen in NSSN, SNNS, and SNSN magnet objects.
- Gravitational mass is being altered by the NS magnetic field, increasing the gravitational mass of the object, and as a result it is more strongly attracted to the Earth and falls faster than normal objects.
- Inertial mass is being altered by the NS magnetic field, decreasing the inertial mass of the object, as a result it falls faster due to the object having less inertial mass to overcome when accelerating.
- Gravitational mass and inertial mass are being altered by the NS magnetic field, increasing the gravitational mass of the object and decreasing the inertial mass of the object at the same time, which again, would cause the object to fall faster than normal objects.
3. Preparing the Analytical Balance to Weigh Magnets
Strong magnetic fields close to an analytical balance will alter the readings given by the balance. As a result I chopped up nine pieces of 1ft x 1ft 20mm thick XPS foam into quarters with the MPCNC router. I then placed super glue near their four corners to glue each piece together into one tall foam block.
I also milled the top two pieces, one to make a pocket for the hex head of the Aluminum bolt and washer. The other with a hole all the way through the piece with a diameter of the magnets.
XPS Foam Spacers
XPS Foam Top Plate
XPS Foam Plate Below Top
4. Calibrate the Balance
The balance came with a 2kg weight to calibrate the balance. Once that procedure was complete I placed the foam block on top of the balance and zeroed out the balance.
5. Weigh the Different Magnet Objects
I would weigh each magnet object at least five times and average the results to get a good reading for each object.
Conclusion
My results showed less than .1 grams difference between each magnet object that weighed approximately 771 grams and the NSNS magnet did not display the highest mass.
I think these results nip in the bud the idea that gravitational mass is being altered by the NS magent object moving in the direction of north pole to south pole. It seems pretty conclusively that the result is caused by changes in inertial mass.
The scientific world would love to hear from you whether your attempt at replicating this experiment validated my results or disagreed with them. Publish your data.
Keep Moving Forward
RFJ
