Weight Scaling: Gravitational & Normal Force Balance

  • Thread starter DhruvKumar
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Weight
In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between weight, gravitational force, and normal force. It explains how the bathroom scale measures weight and how it is related to the compression of a spring inside the scale. It also clarifies that the normal force is not an action/reaction pair with the gravitational force, but rather a result of being in equilibrium.
  • #1
DhruvKumar
14
0
Every action has equal and opposite action.
There is gravitational force and it pulls us towards it center and A FORCE FROM EARTH is being applied on our body.This is supporting force or Normal force.

Weight is the force of gravity applied on our body by Earth and If Earth pulls by X Newton of energy then a force from Earth is also coming of X Newton.
when we stand on Bathroom Scale than our weight is shown by scale .
HOW?
Gravitational force+ Normal force = 0
Then how weight is scaled.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
DhruvKumar said:
Every action has equal and opposite action.
There is gravitational force and it pulls us towards it center and A FORCE FROM EARTH is being applied on our body.This is supporting force or Normal force.

Weight is the force of gravity applied on our body by Earth and If Earth pulls by X Newton of energy then a force from Earth is also coming of X Newton.
when we stand on Bathroom Scale than our weight is shown by scale .
HOW?
Gravitational force+ Normal force = 0
Then how weight is scaled.

I don't know how the bathroom scale works, but you can use a spring and see the length of compression and know your weight since the force applied by the spring is proportional to the compression length
 
  • #3
Mr.louis please read my question and understand it ,then give any answer.

According to Newton's Third Law,
Gravitational force+ Normal force = 0
Then how weight is scaled. As we know Weight is Gravitational force applied on a body by earth.
 
  • #4
DhruvKumar said:
Mr.louis please read my question and understand it ,then give any answer.

According to Newton's Third Law,
Gravitational force+ Normal force = 0
Then how weight is scaled. As we know Weight is Gravitational force applied on a body by earth.


Taking downward as positive
Your equation should be,
Gravitational force - Normal force = 0

As explained by Mr. Lois.
The spring in the scale is compress and the force is -kx.
It is scaled according to x.
 
  • #5
DhruvKumar said:
According to Newton's Third Law,
Gravitational force+ Normal force = 0
The downward gravitational force (your weight) and the upward normal force are not Newton's third law 'action/reaction' pairs. They happen to add to zero because you are in equilibrium--not accelerating. This is an application of Newton's 2nd law, not the third.
Then how weight is scaled. As we know Weight is Gravitational force applied on a body by earth.
What the scale measures is the normal force it exerts. Which, in this case, happens to equal your weight.
 

1. What is weight scaling and why is it important in scientific research?

Weight scaling is the process of adjusting the weight of an object in a scientific experiment to accurately reflect the effects of gravity. It is important because it allows scientists to compare the results of their experiments with others, regardless of the differences in gravitational pull at different locations.

2. How is weight scaling achieved in experiments?

Weight scaling is achieved by using a balance scale or by adding weights to an object until it reaches equilibrium with the normal force of gravity. This allows for the gravitational and normal forces to be balanced, providing accurate data for the experiment.

3. What is the relationship between weight scaling and the gravitational constant?

The gravitational constant, denoted as G, is a fundamental constant that relates the force of gravity between two objects. Weight scaling takes into account the differences in gravitational pull at different locations, allowing for accurate comparisons between experiments conducted in different locations.

4. Can weight scaling be applied to objects of any size?

Yes, weight scaling can be applied to objects of any size as long as the gravitational and normal forces can be balanced. This means that weight scaling can be used for objects as small as a grain of sand or as large as a planet.

5. Are there any potential sources of error when using weight scaling in experiments?

While weight scaling is a useful technique, there are potential sources of error that should be considered. These include variations in the strength of gravity at different locations, errors in the measurement of weight, and the presence of air resistance or other external forces that may affect the object's weight.

Similar threads

Replies
12
Views
852
  • Mechanics
Replies
2
Views
916
Replies
9
Views
902
  • Mechanics
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Mechanics
Replies
22
Views
846
Replies
57
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
914
Replies
2
Views
11K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Back
Top