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What is the value of the universal gravitational constant $G$ in SI units, as first measured experimentally by Henry Cavendish?
A$6.673 \times 10^{-11}$ N m$^2$ kg$^{-2}$
B$9.800 \times 10^{-11}$ N m$^2$ kg$^{-2}$
C$6.673 \times 10^{11}$ N m$^2$ kg$^{-2}$
D$1.120 \times 10^{-11}$ N m$^2$ kg$^{-2}$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. $6.673 \times 10^{-11}$ N m$^2$ kg$^{-2}$
1. The value of $G$ was first measured experimentally by Henry Cavendish.
2. In SI units its value is $6.673 \times 10^{-11}$ N m$^2$ kg$^{-2}$.
3. The exponent is negative ($10^{-11}$), so a positive exponent is wrong.
4. The number $9.8$ belongs to $g$, not $G$, so that option is ruled out.
_Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 1 "Gravitation", p.13_
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