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A spring scale is any device that uses the translation of a spring by force due to weight to discover the mass of an object. Let's translate that into easier words. A spring wants to hold its shape. But it is elastic, and if we apply a force to it, it changes shape. The amount of change in its shape will be proportional to the force applied to it. That's Hooke's law of elasticity. Nothing could be simpler. How does that apply? Jump with me and we'll see. By attaching a pointer or dial to a spring in a particular way, we can use the "coefficient of elasticity" of the spring to tell us how much gravity is pulling on something (which is force). We use that something to change the shape of the spring, and by indexing the movement of that spring, that is, setting up a scale or dial, we can use the device (after calibration) to give us a fairly accurate measure of the weight of an object. Most of us are familiar with the spring scale as the so-call "bathroom scale" which is kept secreted away in the water closet. It's a spring scale, and a useful device (though there seem to be more and more electronic interlopers). There are also small versions of the spring scale, too. We find them in home kitchens for weighing food or small objects, as well as in some fishing tackle boxes. Before the electronic age, these little scales were everywhere that there was commerce. Think of all the stuff that gets weighed from meat and produce at the store to the letters and packages at the mailing places. The spring scale used to do all that. And it did it pretty well, too. Links are provided to Wikipedia articles for further reading. A device used to determine the weight of an object (usually fairly light like 10 pounds or less). It uses a spring attached to a hook to work. The object to be weighed is hung from the hook, which compresses the spring. The amount that the spring is compressed is read on a scale that is graduated in pounds.

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Related Questions

Which physical would you measure with a spring scale?

You would measure weight.


How is a spring scale used to measure weight?

A spring scale is used to measure weight by attaching the object to be weighed to the hook of the scale. The gravitational force acting on the object causes the spring inside the scale to stretch or compress, leading to a reading on the scale that corresponds to the weight of the object.


What is a spring scale is?

a balance that measure weight by the tension on a helical spring


What can you use to measure with a spring scale?

A spring scale can be used to measure the force or weight exerted on it. This can include measuring the weight of objects, the force required to stretch or compress a spring, or the force exerted by a person pulling or pushing on the scale.


What does a spring scale measure?

A spring scale measures the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It does this by stretching a spring based on the weight of the object, which can then be read as a measure of the force in units such as pounds or newtons.


What do a pan balance and the spring scale each measure?

Weight


What is a spring scale used for?

A spring scale is used to measure the weight of an object by the stretching of a spring. It is commonly used in schools, laboratories, and households to measure the force exerted by an object due to gravity.


How does a spring scale measure weight?

A spring scale measures weight by measuring the force necessary to stretch or compress a spring in the device. The more the spring stretches or compresses when an object is hung from it, the greater the force or weight of the object. This force is then translated into a weight reading on the scale.


A spring scale is used to measure weight and a what is used to measure mass?

A spring scale is used to measure weight, which is the force acting on an object due to gravity. A balance scale is typically used to measure mass, which is the amount of matter in an object.


Which physical property would you measure with a spring scale?

You would measure weight or force using a spring scale. The scale works by quantifying the amount of force applied to it, which is then translated into a weight measurement in units like pounds or kilograms.


How did the spring scale get its name?

The spring scale got its name because it uses a spring to measure force or weight. The spring within the scale stretches or compresses based on the applied force, allowing for accurate measurement of the weight of an object.


What unit of measure is a spring scale in science?

Weight (Newtons or pounds).