person holding a scale with a suspended weight

Code Number: 1G10.30

Demo Title: Acceleration - Mass on a Scale

Condition: Good

Principle: Gravitational Acceleration is Constant

Procedure:

Hang the mass from the scale. Move the scale up suddenly and the scale reading goes above 10 Newtons. Move the scale suddenly downward and the reading goes below 10 Newtons. Both these reading happen even though the gravitational acceleration is the same in both cases.

Reference:

Robert Ehrlich, "C.6, Accelerating a Scale with a Suspended Weight", Turning the World Inside Out, p. 29.

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Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

1G10.30 - Acceleration - Mass on a Scale

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