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A spring scale is a weighing scale
Weighing scale

A weighing scale is a measuring instrument for measuring the weight or mass of an object. They use one of two techniques. A spring scale measures weight by the distance a spring deflects under its load....
 used to measure force
Force

In physics, a force is that which can cause an object with mass to change its velocity. Force has both Euclidean_vector#Length of a vector and Direction , making it a Vector quantity....
, such as the force of gravity, exerted on a mass
Mass

In physical science, mass refers to the degree of acceleration a body acquires when subject to a force: bodies with greater mass are accelerated less by the same force....
 or the force of a person's grip or the force exerted by a towing vehicle. This force is commonly measured in newton
Newton

The newton is the International System of Units SI derived unit of force, named after Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on classical mechanics....
s, for which one newton corresponds to the weight of about a tenth of a kilogram
Kilogram

The kilogram or kilogrammeThe spelling kilogram is used by the International Committee for Weights and Measures and the U.S....
 of mass, or about the weight of an apple
APPLE

This article is about the satellite APPLE. For the fruit apple, see Apple. For other uses see Apple .The Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment , was an experimental communication satellite with a C-Band transponder launched by Indian Space Research Organisation satellite on June 19, 1981 by Ariane 1, a launch vehicle of the European Spac...
. The spring scale can also be correctly called a Newton Meter, because it is used to measure newtons.

The spring scale apparatus is simply a spring fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object at the other.






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Encyclopedia


A spring scale is a weighing scale
Weighing scale

A weighing scale is a measuring instrument for measuring the weight or mass of an object. They use one of two techniques. A spring scale measures weight by the distance a spring deflects under its load....
 used to measure force
Force

In physics, a force is that which can cause an object with mass to change its velocity. Force has both Euclidean_vector#Length of a vector and Direction , making it a Vector quantity....
, such as the force of gravity, exerted on a mass
Mass

In physical science, mass refers to the degree of acceleration a body acquires when subject to a force: bodies with greater mass are accelerated less by the same force....
 or the force of a person's grip or the force exerted by a towing vehicle. This force is commonly measured in newton
Newton

The newton is the International System of Units SI derived unit of force, named after Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on classical mechanics....
s, for which one newton corresponds to the weight of about a tenth of a kilogram
Kilogram

The kilogram or kilogrammeThe spelling kilogram is used by the International Committee for Weights and Measures and the U.S....
 of mass, or about the weight of an apple
APPLE

This article is about the satellite APPLE. For the fruit apple, see Apple. For other uses see Apple .The Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment , was an experimental communication satellite with a C-Band transponder launched by Indian Space Research Organisation satellite on June 19, 1981 by Ariane 1, a launch vehicle of the European Spac...
. The spring scale can also be correctly called a Newton Meter, because it is used to measure newtons.

The spring scale apparatus is simply a spring fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object at the other. It works by Hooke's Law
Hooke's law

In mechanics, and physics, Hooke's law of theory of elasticity is an approximation that states that the extension of a spring is in direct proportion with the load added to it as long as this load does not exceed the elastic limit....
, which states that the force needed to extend a spring is proportional to the distance that spring is extended from its rest position. Therefore the scale markings on the spring scale are equally spaced.

Spring scales can be calibrated for the accurate measurement of mass in the location in which they are used, but many spring scales are marked right on their face "Not Legal for Trade" or words of similar import, due to the approximate nature of the theory used to mark the scale. Also, the spring in the scale can permanently stretch with repeated use.

If two spring scales are hung one below the other, the top will read the weight of the body hung on the lower scale, plus the weight of the lower scale itself.

Spring scales come in different sizes. Generally, small scales that measure newtons will have a less firm spring (one with a smaller spring constant) than larger ones that measure tens, hundreds or thousands of newtons.

Uses

Spring scales can be used in physics and education as basic accelerometer
Accelerometer

An accelerometer is a device for measuring acceleration and gravity.Single- and multi-axis models are available to detect magnitude and direction of the acceleration as a Euclidean vector quantity, and can be used to sense orientation, vibration and shock....
s, but its main uses are industrial, especially related to weighing heavy loads such as truck
Truck

File:Red truck USA.JPGA truck is a type of motor vehicle commonly used for carrying goods and materials. Some light trucks are relatively small, similar in size to a passenger automobile....
s, storage silo
Storage silo

A silo is a structure for storing Bulk material handling. Silos are used in agriculture to store cereal or fermented feed known as silage. Silos are more commonly used for bulk storage of grain, coal, cement, carbon black, wood chips, food products and sawdust....
s, and material carried on a conveyor belt
Conveyor belt

A belt conveyor consists of two or more pulleys, with a continuous loop of material - the conveyor belt - that rotates about them. One or both of the pulleys are powered, moving the belt and the material on the belt forward....
. Spring scales are used when the high accuracy afforded by other types of scales
Weighing scale

A weighing scale is a measuring instrument for measuring the weight or mass of an object. They use one of two techniques. A spring scale measures weight by the distance a spring deflects under its load....
 can be sacrificed for simplicity, cheapness, and robustness.

See also

  • Weighing scale
    Weighing scale

    A weighing scale is a measuring instrument for measuring the weight or mass of an object. They use one of two techniques. A spring scale measures weight by the distance a spring deflects under its load....