you wouldn't feel a difference of 0.5 m/s/s
Fair point.
as far as mismeasurement, if instruments consistently record these changes, and the instruments are precise, how could it be due to mismeasurement...?
Do they, though? Can you cite some sources for this? (several different independant records of measuring this would be best)
To the science lab!
Anybody can do science. You only need equipment accurate enough to measure the expected results, an experiment to preform, and the mathematical knowledge to run the numbers.
In my kitchen I have a digital scale, It can do at least a kilogram at a resolution of a couple of grams.
I need a test mass. This object weighs 821 grams... it will do (I select a bottle of cleaning solution as a test weight.) Assumption! the 821 gram weight was gotten at the pole. Obviously, I got it where I live... so this is just to see if this scale can be accurate enough.
Now, weight = mass x acceleration
I have 2 accelerations, so I'll have 2 weights, but the same object so it has the same mass (mass is independant of weight or acceleration)
So: weight1 = mass * acceleration1
weight2 = mass * acceleration2
acceleration1 is at the pole: 9.832 m/ss
acceleration2 is at the equator: 9.780 m/ss
Combining the equasions, I get:
weight1
weight2 = ------------- * acceleration2
acceleration1
Notice how mass in the equasion for weight2 was replaced with the EQUILAVENT form of equasion 1? mass is mass! only the WEIGHT changes with gravity (acceleration)
Replacing the holders with my values I get:
821g
weight2 = ------------- * 9.780 m/ss
9.832 m/ss
gives : 815 grams for the same sample at the equator.
Huh! That's a considerable difference within the capability of the equipment I have on hand. Of course, there are other factors... is this scale temperature and humidity resistant? Did I do the math right? I would have to recheck my findings and have someone else verify the data as well.