Re: Constraint and inertia

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@SFU.CA>]

> I'm not quite sure what is meant by the "coefficient of inertia," but I will
> assume that it is the coefficient for the difference between gravitational
> mass and inertial mass.  Tipler, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Third
> Edition, states, "Their equivalence is now established to about 1 part in
> 10^12."  Tipler also states that Newton, "was able to establish the
> equivalence between gravitational and inertial mass to an accuracy of about 1
> part in 1000."

The coefficient of inertia *is* the mass.

> What is the experiment that produced the 1 part in 10^12 equivalence?

Possibly Robert Dicke's improvement on the classic Eotvos experiment.
I believe someone has improved Dicke's measurement, but I don't
remember offhand.

> Another question.  I remember that the mass of the photon had a lower limit
> of about 10^-50 gram.  Has this changed?

I'm quite sure you mean "upper limit"!

Leigh