Measuring Mass on Earth and the Moon: How Does a Beam Balance Recognize Weight?

[adjacent]

If a person has actually 1 kg(for example)(on earth)how will a beam balance recognize it?What if the person was on the moon, will the beam balance show 1kg there too?if so How?

And how can one find gravitational acceleration if he does not know mass of an object(he knows Force)

 

[mfb]

The mass is independent of the location.

how will a beam balance recognize it?

It compares it with a reference object with known mass.

What if the person was on the moon, will the beam balance show 1kg there too?if so How?

Why should it give a different result?

And how can one find gravitational acceleration if he does not know mass of an object(he knows Force)

Let it drop down, and measure the acceleration? There is a better solution, but I get the impression this could be a homework problem.

 

[adjacent]

Its Not a homework problem.
A beam balance on Earth measures 1 kg as approximately 10N.
What will happen when the balance is on moon?1kg has now a force of 1.8N
Beam balance recognize 10N as 1kg (I think)
When moon exerts 1.8N on 1kg,Will not the readings differ now?
Will not it show a mass of 0.18Kg

 

[Doc Al]

A beam balance just compares two masses.

 

[adjacent]

Can you please explain that answer Doc Al..
Doesn't a beam balance rely on the forces acting on them?

 

[Doc Al]

Here's a picture of a beam balance (an old fashioned one):

Two masses that balance on Earth will still balance on the moon.

 

[Doc Al]

Doesn't a beam balance rely on the forces acting on them?

All that matters is that the forces are equal.

 

[adjacent]

Oh sorry i was asking about toppan balance or electronic.

 

[Doc Al]

Oh sorry i was referring to top pan balance

Give me an example of just what you mean. It depends on how the "balance" works. If it's really a balance, then it won't matter.

 

[adjacent]

a balance recognize 10N as 1kg
moon exerts 1.8N to 1kg.
will it differ?
Are there other balances that does not depend on forces?

 

[Doc Al]

a balance recognize 10N as 1kg
moon exerts 1.8N to 1kg.
will it differ?

The scale you illustrated measures the displacement of a spring, which is proportional to the force exerted. The scale is marked in kg for use on earth. Take it to the moon and you'll get the "wrong" reading. If the scale is marked in Newton's, it will work just fine.

Are there other balances that does not depend on forces?

The beam balance that I illustrated will compare two masses. Works just as well on the moon as on earth.

 

[adjacent]

Thank you for your brilliant answer