- Sep 5, 2012
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The discussion was brought up in another thread that if the earth is a spinning globe, then the weight of objects should vary at different latitudes. This is because centrifugal force is stronger when closer to the equator than the poles, a reaction counter to the force of gravity.
To illustrate why the centrifugal force is stronger, consider a person standing in the northern most part of Siberia. If you measure the circle created at that latitude, that's how far one travels/spins in one day. Now consider somebody standing at the equator. The circle created at the equator is much larger, indeed, the whole circumference of the earth. But someone standing on that circle still has to travel the entire circumference in the same amount of time as the person in Siberia has to travel around the circumference of their circle.
This means that the person at the equator must be travelling faster than the person in Siberia. So the force acting against gravity is stronger at the equator, making the person standing there weigh less.
This, of course, has been tested and confirmed (I will add links soon). But I thought it would be fun to actually perform an experiment of my own and document it.
I have selected a reasonably priced scale that has a sufficient accuracy to document the small changes that would be incurred:
My Weigh iBalance 401 (i401)
It has good reviews, and is supposed to be accurate to within 5 millligrams. The difference I expect to see will be in the couple hundred milligram range (I'll calculate an actual prediction prior to the experiment).
Of course, there is virtually no way to convince you flat earthers that I won't cheat. To that I say, THEN DO IT YOURSELF.
That said, I will attempt to minimize shadiness by adhering to a few guidelines, and am open to other suggestions for these guidelines that I have not considered; no reasonable condition will be denied. Here they are (so far):
1. I will video the unpackaging of the box the scale comes in
2. I will video the unpackaging of the calibration weights
3. I will document the serial number of the scale
4. Hopefully, I can find some weights that have their own serial numbers, but if not, I will figure out how to mark them in some way, so all can see I am using the same ones.
5. I will document my GPS coordinates for each weighing location
6. I will provide video proof that I am at the locations I say I am.
7. I will select locations that are approximately the same elevation. I will be travelling to Phoenix, AZ from Vancouver, WA. Phoenix is substantially higher elevation, so I will have to find a suitable location near Vancouver on a hill or mountain.
8. Tests will occur indoors (at ground level) to minimize potential temperature and artificial elevation effects, with ample "warm-up" time for the scale.
9. Scale will be plugged in, rather than use of batteries, to ensure it is fully powered.
10. I will go back to my Washington location after the trip to confirm the calibration of the scale has not been thrown out of whack during travel. I will do my best to treat it gently along the way.
11. New batteries will be installed (while plugged in) prior to each journey, in case it won't save settings without them (though this shouldn't be a problem, anyway). And it will remain plugged in for the duration of my stay in Phoenix.
12. The limit of the scale is 400 grams. However, scales are typically less accurate in the top and bottom 25% of their ranges (at least this was true 20 years ago when I had to calibrate them in the Army). So the test will be conducted with a 300 gram weight.
13. Scale will be boxed up and sealed on camera between measurements, and reopened on camera when measurement is to be performed.
I will add conditions as deemed necessary in the coming weeks. The trip should take place over the Christmas holidays this year.
Please offer any suggestions for improvement or things to consider.
Your condition suggestions will be highlighted in red.
To illustrate why the centrifugal force is stronger, consider a person standing in the northern most part of Siberia. If you measure the circle created at that latitude, that's how far one travels/spins in one day. Now consider somebody standing at the equator. The circle created at the equator is much larger, indeed, the whole circumference of the earth. But someone standing on that circle still has to travel the entire circumference in the same amount of time as the person in Siberia has to travel around the circumference of their circle.
This means that the person at the equator must be travelling faster than the person in Siberia. So the force acting against gravity is stronger at the equator, making the person standing there weigh less.
This, of course, has been tested and confirmed (I will add links soon). But I thought it would be fun to actually perform an experiment of my own and document it.
I have selected a reasonably priced scale that has a sufficient accuracy to document the small changes that would be incurred:
My Weigh iBalance 401 (i401)
It has good reviews, and is supposed to be accurate to within 5 millligrams. The difference I expect to see will be in the couple hundred milligram range (I'll calculate an actual prediction prior to the experiment).
Of course, there is virtually no way to convince you flat earthers that I won't cheat. To that I say, THEN DO IT YOURSELF.
That said, I will attempt to minimize shadiness by adhering to a few guidelines, and am open to other suggestions for these guidelines that I have not considered; no reasonable condition will be denied. Here they are (so far):
1. I will video the unpackaging of the box the scale comes in
2. I will video the unpackaging of the calibration weights
3. I will document the serial number of the scale
4. Hopefully, I can find some weights that have their own serial numbers, but if not, I will figure out how to mark them in some way, so all can see I am using the same ones.
5. I will document my GPS coordinates for each weighing location
6. I will provide video proof that I am at the locations I say I am.
7. I will select locations that are approximately the same elevation. I will be travelling to Phoenix, AZ from Vancouver, WA. Phoenix is substantially higher elevation, so I will have to find a suitable location near Vancouver on a hill or mountain.
8. Tests will occur indoors (at ground level) to minimize potential temperature and artificial elevation effects, with ample "warm-up" time for the scale.
9. Scale will be plugged in, rather than use of batteries, to ensure it is fully powered.
10. I will go back to my Washington location after the trip to confirm the calibration of the scale has not been thrown out of whack during travel. I will do my best to treat it gently along the way.
11. New batteries will be installed (while plugged in) prior to each journey, in case it won't save settings without them (though this shouldn't be a problem, anyway). And it will remain plugged in for the duration of my stay in Phoenix.
12. The limit of the scale is 400 grams. However, scales are typically less accurate in the top and bottom 25% of their ranges (at least this was true 20 years ago when I had to calibrate them in the Army). So the test will be conducted with a 300 gram weight.
13. Scale will be boxed up and sealed on camera between measurements, and reopened on camera when measurement is to be performed.
I will add conditions as deemed necessary in the coming weeks. The trip should take place over the Christmas holidays this year.
Please offer any suggestions for improvement or things to consider.
Your condition suggestions will be highlighted in red.
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