Name____________________________
Activity
Physics 206
Mr. Dristle
Tension, please
1.
Calculate how much 200 grams of mass should weigh in newtons. Show your work.
2.
a.
b.
Hang 200 grams from a spring balance.
What does the scale read? (covert to newtons
if necessary)
c.
Name or describe two forces acting upon the
200 gram mass.
d.
Draw vectors (arrows) on the diagram to the
right to represent them.
a.
Hang two spring balances side by side.
Suspend a wooden skewer from their hooks.
Then hang a 200 gram mass from the middle
of the skewer.
What does each scale read?
3.
b.
Explain why.
c.
Carefully slide the 200 gram mass closer to
one side. What does each scale read?
Explain why.
4.
d.
Name or describe the forces acting upon the
wooden skewer.
e.
Draw vectors on the diagram to represent
those forces.
a.
Hang the two spring balances in series.
Before you hang the 200 gram mass on the
bottom, predict what each scale will read.
b.
Now hang the 200 gram mass from the lower
spring balance. What does each scale read?
c.
Explain.
Name____________________________
5.
a.
Tension
b.
Now hang the 200 gram mass in between the
two balances.
What does the top balance read?
c.
What does the bottom balance read?
Page 2
Explain why.
6.
a.
Now hang the 200 gram mass at the top
with the two spring balances in series
beneath it.
b.
What does the top balance read?
c.
What does the bottom balance read?
d.
Explain why.
QUESTIONS:
1.
Did you remember to take into account the weight of the spring balance itself when
making your predictions?
How much of a difference did it make? (When would it matter and when would it
not matter?)
2.
A student wants to design an experiment where a spring balance is held upside
down. Comment on the accuracy of the readings. Explain.
3.
A student wants to do an experiment where a spring balance is being used to
measure the horizontal force needed to pull an object along a surface. Do you think
the balance will give an accurate reading?
4.
Are the physically large and heavy spring balances inaccurate in all situations?
Why are the smaller spring balances more versatile?
Can a spring balance be physically small and still have a large capacity?