How Is a Spring Scale Used to Measure Weight?
Design Spring scales have two basic designs. The first, and most recognizable, is a tension spring scale. With this design, you place an object on a hook or pan beneath the scale and the spring inside the scale stretches. The second design is a compression spring scale. Many grocery store produce departments have these types of scales. For this design, you place an object on a pan that then compresses the spring. Regardless of whether your scale is a tension or compression scale, it obeys Hooke’s Law. Hooke’s Law Hooke’s Law for springs states that the restorative force (F) in a spring is proportional to the distance (x) it is stretched or compressed. This proportionality constant, or stiffness coefficient (k), is different for different springs. In equation form, Hooke’s Law looks like this: F = -kx Using Hooke’s law, you can measure the distance a string is stretched, and if you know the stiffness coefficient, calculate the force being applied. Indicator When you hang a weight on a t
