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Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Claire RogersDepartment of Physics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Jesse MendezDepartment of Physics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Tanner HoovenDepartment of Physics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Kevin ChungDepartment of Physics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Alyssa JohnsonDepartment of Physics and AstronomyGraduate Student
- Alexandra PapeshDepartment of Physics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Charles HoyleDepartment of Physics and AstronomyFaculty
Physical processes regarding gravity are well understood on the scale of planetary distances but pose challenges in measurements at very short distances. Theories such as the Inverse Square Law (ISL) and Einstein’s Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) of General Relativity have been tested over distance scales from 1 cm to infinity [1]. Reliable measurements of gravitational forces at scales smaller than a centimeter carry significant challenges. The non-gravitational forces that are generally negligible at the scale of everyday objects have a much more substantial effect in the sub-centimeter regime. Our experiment seeks to measure gravity at these close distances.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Crystal CardenasPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Due to the incompatibility of the Standard Model and General Relativity, tests of gravity remain at the forefront of experimental physics research. At HSU, undergraduates and faculty are developing an experiment that will test gravitational interactions at the twenty-micron distance scale, well below what has currently been tested. The experiment will measure the twist of a torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel-plate configuration which will provide a time-varying torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation will provide means to determine deviations from accepted models of gravity on untested distance scales.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Ian GuerreroPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Jeremy JohnsonPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Gabriela MartinezPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Noah DunkleyPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Hilde IsachsenPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Duncan ShawPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Dr. C.D. HoylePhysics and AstronomyFaculty
Inconsistencies between Quantum Mechanics and General relativity have motivated many new theories which unify these two very successful models of physics. Many of these theories predict changes to the behavior of gravity at the sub 50 micron distance scale, specifically deviations from the newtonian Inverse Square Law (ISL) and Weak Equivelance Principle (WEP). We measure the twist of the torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel-plate configuration, providing a time varying torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation provides a means to determine any deviation from the WEP or ISL at untested scales.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Berlin Del AguilaDepartment of Physics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Due to inconsistencies between General Relativity and the Standard Model, tests of gravity remain at the forefront of experimental physics. At HSU, undergraduates and faculty are designing an experiment sensitive enough to detect gravitational interactions below the 50 micron scale. The experiment measures the twist of a torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel plate configuration, providing time varying gravitational torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation will provide a means to determine any deviation from current models of gravity on untested scales.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Gabriela MartinezPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Jeremy JohnsonPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Ian GuerreroPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Due to inconsistencies between General Relativity and the Standard Model, tests of gravity remain at the forefront of experimental physics. At Humboldt State University, undergraduates and faculty are designing an experiment sensitive enough to detect gravitational interactions below the 50 micron scale. The experiment measures the twist of a torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel plate configuration, providing time varying gravitational torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation will provide a means to determine any deviation from current models of gravity on untested scales.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Jack StillmanPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Nicholas HernandezPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Jeremy JohnsonPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Gabriela MartinezPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Noah DunkleyPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- C.D. HoylePhysics & AstronomyFaculty
- Zane ComdenPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Hilde IsachsenPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Theories attempting to unify the Standard Model and General Relativity often include features that violate the Weak Equivalence Principle and gravitational Inverse-Square Law. Motivated by these considerations, undergraduates and faculty at Humboldt State University are operating an experiment to probe gravitational interactions below the 50-micron length scale. The experiment employs a torsion pendulum whose twist is measured as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation provides a means to determine the existence of deviations from expected behavior at untested scales.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Frank TrombettaPhysicsUndergraduate Student
- Alyssa JohnsonPhysicsUndergraduate Student
Gravity has been tested rigorously at distance scales from 1cm up to astronomical distances. The experiment being run in Humboldt State Universities Gravity Lab seeks to test gravity at previously untested distances below the centimeter level. To do this, a pendulum is suspended by a torsion fiber and oscillates in front of a movable mass. By moving the mass back and forth, one can measure a gravitational force on the pendulum by looking at the twist in the fiber. The data from the pendulum are then compared with well established theories of gravity to see if the accuracy of the theories at large distances translates to smaller scales.
Novel Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns
- Frankie TrombettaPhysicsUndergraduate Student
The Gravity Lab at Humboldt State is concerned with measuring the force of gravity at unprecedented distance scales. Theories new and old make predictions about how gravity should behave, but accurate measurements of gravitational forces between objects close together have remained challenging. The crux of the experiment lies in sufficiently silencing the non-gravitational forces acting at the measuring site, and accomplishing this requires applying at least a little knowledge from most undergraduate physics classes. The implications of progress in this lab make it exciting to a general audience while remaining beneficial from an undergraduate learning perspective.
Novice Cyclists Using Shorter Crank Lengths Produced Greater Power at Same V̇O2
- Jessie ArmendarizKinesiologyGraduate Student
Compared to trained runners, novice runners employ lower stride frequencies and shorter stride lengths as they run at lower speeds vs trained runners. Novice cyclists may benefit from a similar paradigm, utilizing shorter crank lengths as an analog to the lower stride frequencies and shorter stride lengths used by novice runners. The purpose was to determine the impact of short crank arms on novice cyclist’s performance and comfort during a bout of moderate intensity cycling. Data analysis and conclusion will be included on poster.
Observer Bias of Giant Kangaroo Rat Precinct Indexing
- Brianna N. DoranWildlifeUndergraduate Student
This was a side-project of the Carrizo Ecosystem Project where two observers independently surveyed precincts of the Federally Endangered Giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) on 10 plots in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obispo County, California. The goals were to note the bias between observers, to determine if the number of active precincts correlate with the current population density estimates, and to determine if indexing Giant kangaroo rat (GKR) precincts is a reliable method for determining the current GKR population status.