The discussion revolves around the functioning of scales, specifically how they measure weight through the interaction of forces. Participants explore the concepts of normal force, action-reaction pairs, and the mechanics of different types of scales.
Participants express some agreement on the basic principles of how scales measure weight, but there are also requests for clarification and further illustration, indicating that some aspects of the discussion remain unresolved.
There are assumptions regarding the type of scale being discussed (e.g., spring scale vs. strain gauge) and the conditions under which the scale operates (e.g., not accelerating). These factors may influence the interpretation of the readings.
The spring on the scale (assuming that that's how the scale is built -- other technologies such as strain gauges can also be used) is depressed by the object on the scale (the downward action force), and reaches equilibrium when the reactive force of the compressed spring (the reaction force) counters the downward force of the object. The distance that the spring is compressed is linked to a pointer on the scale's dial that moves a corresponding distance.noosah said:so my question is a little dumb, if an object on a scale has a weight that points downwards and the scale exert normal force on the object upwards cancelling the forces acted on the object then what does the scale read? also the action-reaction pair to the normal force is supposed to be the force that the object act on the scale, is this what the scale reads?
Yes.noosah said:the force that the object act on the scale, is this what the scale reads?
If the scale is not actually accelerating up or downwards then the scale measures the weight force of the object on it.noosah said:is this what the scale reads?