How do you measure a gram without scales?

Answer 1

To measure weight, the instrument used must measure the force of an object directed into some direction (often against a near by heavy astronomical object, such as the earth, but it is also possible to use a rotating disc to measure the momentum force the object causes when there is no gravity available) and compare that with a widely accepted standard, like kilogram, the weight units themselves don't exist in nature by default but are made up by humans who then agreed to follow the same standard as a measure of comparison. Something that measures weight is by definition a weighing scale, as such it is impossible to measure a weight without one. Unless one with enough precision can be built, it has to be bought. Perhaps the easiest scale to build is something like the Steelyard but instead of a slidable counterweight, fixed nails/needles could be used with a calibrated light counterweight. A round nail in a board and a wooden/paper lever (the hole for the nail is kinda near one side) should provide low enough friction to allow accurate measurements (either widening the hole or aplying some grease might help to decrease friction if required). A ruler and the equation (F1)(D1) = (F2)(D2), where F= force and D= distance will help with setting up the scale correctly. It will require a bit of thinking and testing to get this to work. The measuring error won't be negligable either with this kind of setup, but it can be reduced by using a second lighter counterweight for a final adjustment of the balancing. S==O==L=L=L=L S = hanger for the weight to be measured, L = a hook/nail/needle to hang a counterweight at, = = the lever, O = the hole for the nail to balance the lever with

Answer 2

1 gram of water will occupy a volume of 1 mL or 1 cm^3. If you are measuring a different substance, you could perhaps compare it's mass to that of 1mL of water.