Correct Answer:
C. Henry Cavendish
The correct answer is Henry Cavendish. The gravitational constant, denoted by G, is a fundamental physical constant used in Isaac Newton's law of universal gravitation. It quantifies the attractive gravitational force between any two objects with mass. Henry Cavendish, a British natural philosopher, performed an ingenious experiment in 1798 using a torsion balance to measure the very weak gravitational force between lead spheres. This allowed him to calculate the density of the Earth and, subsequently, to determine the value of the gravitational constant (G) with remarkable accuracy for his time. His work was a groundbreaking achievement in experimental physics.
- Option A, Einstein, is incorrect. Albert Einstein developed the theory of General Relativity, which describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime. While his work revolutionized our understanding of gravity, he did not determine the value of Newton's gravitational constant G.
- Option B, Newton, is incorrect. Sir Isaac Newton formulated the law of universal gravitation, which includes the gravitational constant G. However, he did not experimentally determine its value. The technology and precise measurements required for such a determination were not available during his lifetime.
- Option D, Stephen Hawking, is incorrect. Stephen Hawking was a renowned theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes and cosmology, particularly concerning general relativity and quantum mechanics. His contributions were largely theoretical and did not involve the experimental determination of fundamental constants like G.