Methods of Determining the Density of the Earth

Abstract

I HAVE just seen in the report of the proceedings of the Physical Society (NATURE, January 15, p. 260) the account of the ingenious and very important experiments proposed by Drs. König and Richarz to determine the density of the earth. I would suggest that mercury be substituted for lead as the attracting masses. The homogeneity of density, the precision with which its density and temperature can be determined and the ease with which transport from one side of the balance to the other can be effected will commend the use of mercury. The mode of experimenting suggested is the plan of Cornu—used in his determination of the density of the earth by the (Cavendish) Michell experiment—adapted to the same determination by means of the balance.