Eli5 how do scales work? How do we know the weight shown is accurate?
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Scales work a couple of different ways. Sometimes you’re balancing the weight against something else. Other times you’re using a spring, and the more weight you put on the spring, the further it compresses. Electronic scales use what’s called a load cell, which is a device that generates electrical current depending on how much weight you put on it.
We know the weight shown is accurate because scales are calibrated. And you can check a scale’s calibration fairly easily by putting a known mass on it. For example, 1000 mL of water at room temperature weighs 1 kg, so you can easily check if your scale is working.
Scales work a couple of different ways. Sometimes you’re balancing the weight against something else. Other times you’re using a spring, and the more weight you put on the spring, the further it compresses. Electronic scales use what’s called a load cell, which is a device that generates electrical current depending on how much weight you put on it.
We know the weight shown is accurate because scales are calibrated. And you can check a scale’s calibration fairly easily by putting a known mass on it. For example, 1000 mL of water at room temperature weighs 1 kg, so you can easily check if your scale is working.
Scales work a couple of different ways. Sometimes you’re balancing the weight against something else. Other times you’re using a spring, and the more weight you put on the spring, the further it compresses. Electronic scales use what’s called a load cell, which is a device that generates electrical current depending on how much weight you put on it.
We know the weight shown is accurate because scales are calibrated. And you can check a scale’s calibration fairly easily by putting a known mass on it. For example, 1000 mL of water at room temperature weighs 1 kg, so you can easily check if your scale is working.
Scales measure force. Gravity is an attractive force between two masses.
The mass of something you’d measure is much smaller than the mass of Earth, meaning the force imparted by Earth’s gravity is linearly related to mass for things smaller than the moon.
Gravity is variable across the Earth’s surface, because of differences in the globe’s elemental composition and elevation. Some highly accurate scales will let you program in the topological variation, from a map or from a calibration weight.
Which brings us to calibration. The kilogram is a standard unit of mass, a precise weight stored in a vault against which all others are measured. Copies of standards are then distributed to other countries. Recently, we have the ability to measure the masses of atoms themselves.
A scale can simply be a well constructed balance lever, up to piezoelectric force sensors, that electrically measure the compression of a crystal.
Scales measure force. Gravity is an attractive force between two masses.
The mass of something you’d measure is much smaller than the mass of Earth, meaning the force imparted by Earth’s gravity is linearly related to mass for things smaller than the moon.
Gravity is variable across the Earth’s surface, because of differences in the globe’s elemental composition and elevation. Some highly accurate scales will let you program in the topological variation, from a map or from a calibration weight.
Which brings us to calibration. The kilogram is a standard unit of mass, a precise weight stored in a vault against which all others are measured. Copies of standards are then distributed to other countries. Recently, we have the ability to measure the masses of atoms themselves.
A scale can simply be a well constructed balance lever, up to piezoelectric force sensors, that electrically measure the compression of a crystal.
Scales measure force. Gravity is an attractive force between two masses.
The mass of something you’d measure is much smaller than the mass of Earth, meaning the force imparted by Earth’s gravity is linearly related to mass for things smaller than the moon.
Gravity is variable across the Earth’s surface, because of differences in the globe’s elemental composition and elevation. Some highly accurate scales will let you program in the topological variation, from a map or from a calibration weight.
Which brings us to calibration. The kilogram is a standard unit of mass, a precise weight stored in a vault against which all others are measured. Copies of standards are then distributed to other countries. Recently, we have the ability to measure the masses of atoms themselves.
A scale can simply be a well constructed balance lever, up to piezoelectric force sensors, that electrically measure the compression of a crystal.
You don’t have to work on chemistry tho! I work in a kitchen a we use digital scales all day long.
Remember, a pint is a pound in American towns. (this applies to liquid measures only)
But you can check your (postage) scale at home. 2 c of any liquid should equal one pound or 16 oz. You can use this as a non lab calibration.
You don’t have to work on chemistry tho! I work in a kitchen a we use digital scales all day long.
Remember, a pint is a pound in American towns. (this applies to liquid measures only)
But you can check your (postage) scale at home. 2 c of any liquid should equal one pound or 16 oz. You can use this as a non lab calibration.
You don’t have to work on chemistry tho! I work in a kitchen a we use digital scales all day long.
Remember, a pint is a pound in American towns. (this applies to liquid measures only)
But you can check your (postage) scale at home. 2 c of any liquid should equal one pound or 16 oz. You can use this as a non lab calibration.
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