Variations in Gravity

The Variations in Gravity are the supposed variations to gravity due to either the variations in strength of the gravitational field of the earth or due to the presence of masses such as hills or celestial bodies. It is often stated that the strength of gravity decreases with altitude or that the gravity of the Sun and Moon pulls upon the earth's surface. However, the experiments either do not show variation or the few effects suggesting variations are questionable, contradicted, and may be attributed to other causes.

Celestial Tests
It is alleged that the Sun and Moon exerts a gravitational pull upon the earth. Very sensitive torsion balance experiments have been conducted over a period of 24 hours, showing that experiments are not affected by external sources as to cause a violation of the equivalence principle. External gravity sources, such as from the Sun, are unable be felt.


 * Torsion Balance Tests - Celestial Variations in G - The gravitational effects from the Sun are unable to be detected in laboratory experiments

See Also:


 * Tides - The workings of the tides appear unrelated to the the Moon

Altitude Tests
It has been found in experiments on various ranges that "gravity" does not deviate from the Universality of Free Fall or the Equivalence Principle. The Equivalence Principle is a principle of nature which says that 'gravity' behaves as if the experiment were conducted on an Earth or in a container which was accelerating upwards. Supposedly only a 'local' concept, experimenters have tested this concept at various scales without violation of this principle.


 * Gravitational Time Dilation - Time dilates in accordance with the uniform prediction of the Equivalence Principal to various heights

Latitude Tests
It is alleged that gravity varies by latitude due to a combination of the effects of the rotation of the earth and the bulging mass at the equator. Experiments performed with scales exposed to the atmosphere have shown that weight increases by a fraction of one percent near the polar areas, as compared to areas near the warmer equator. However, weight is also affected by factors outside of 'gravity'. It is also related to a buoyancy related to pressure, humidity, air viscosity, temperature, etc, which exist differently in different locations, and which may contribute in complex ways to the readings of the scale.


 * Weight Variation by Latitude - Variations in weight by latitude appear in an uncontrolled scale experiment

In contradiction to this, experiments conducted with sensitive clocks at different latitudes show that the expected time dilation due to velocity does not occur in response to the different latitudinal velocities of the earth.


 * Time Dilation by Latitude - The predicted time dilation caused by Earth's rotation does not occur

Landmass Tests
The theory of the universal gravitation of mass leads to the expectation that the mountain ranges should produce a larger gravitational pull than the plains, owing to the greater bulk mass in the area. However, gravity measurements show that the mountains are associated with negative gravity anomalies.


 * Isostasy - The mass attraction of mountains and continents does not behave in accordance with 'gravity'

Gravimeters
Mainstream materials on the gravimeter device used to study the Earth's gravity show that it is not studying gravity directly. The device is described as studying density variations in the subseismic band assumed to be caused to gravity, where phenomena such as the tides are observed. Gravimeters can be double purposed as seismometers, seismometers can be double purposed as gravimeters, and the gravity anomalies are associated with the seismic zones.


 * Gravimetry - Gravimeters are described to be seismometers by mainstream sources