Question

What experiment, done for under $10,000, could possibly falsify the flat Earthers’ theory?

Answer 1

The theory that the Earth is flat has been widely debunked by scientific evidence and observations from various sources, including space agencies, satellite imagery, and centuries of scientific research. However, if you're looking for a relatively simple experiment that can provide evidence against the flat Earth theory, you could consider the following:

Experiment: Determining Earth's Curvature using a Straight Line and Measurement

Materials needed:

1. A tall building, hill, or any elevated location with a clear view of the horizon.
2. A straight, long measuring tape or a laser level.
3. A theodolite (optional) or a high-precision smartphone application for measuring angles.

Procedure:

1. Choose a tall building or an elevated location that provides an unobstructed view of the horizon.
2. Position yourself at the base of the building or the hill and measure the height from the ground to your eye level.
3. Use the measuring tape or laser level to create a straight horizontal line at the height of your eyes.
4. Walk away from the building or hill in a straight line while keeping the line at your eye level.
5. After walking a significant distance (several miles or kilometers), turn around and look back at the building or hill.
6. Use the theodolite or a high-precision smartphone application to measure the angle between the line at your eye level and the top of the building or hill.
7. Repeat the measurement at regular intervals, increasing the distance from the building or hill.

Expected Results: If the Earth were flat, the angle between your eye level line and the top of the building or hill should remain constant, regardless of the distance. However, if the Earth is curved, the angle should decrease as you move away from the building or hill, indicating the curvature of the Earth.

Significance: If the experiment shows a decrease in the angle between your eye level line and the top of the building or hill, it provides direct evidence of Earth's curvature, refuting the flat Earth theory. The larger the decrease in the angle with distance, the stronger the evidence for a curved Earth.

Note: This experiment is a simplified version, and it assumes that you have access to a tall building or an elevated location. More accurate measurements and experiments involving large bodies of water, such as the Bedford Level Experiment, have been conducted in the past to demonstrate the curvature of the Earth. However, those experiments may require more resources and planning beyond the $10,000 budget you specified.