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Poppy's message to you This week
Poppy's message to you This week
Research Material
Research Material
QUESTIONS To KEEP IN MIND:
QUESTIONS To KEEP IN MIND:
- If you build a weighing scale, how can you calibrate it without using another scale?
- What are the main types of scales?
Weighing Devices
Weighing Devices
Like the sundial, the weighing device (i.e. "scales") is definitely on the list of 'humankind's most important inventions'!
Like the sundial, the weighing device (i.e. "scales") is definitely on the list of 'humankind's most important inventions'!
The very first weighing devices were simple "equal arm" scales. The first of these appeared in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, around 4000 BC.
The very first weighing devices were simple "equal arm" scales. The first of these appeared in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, around 4000 BC.
Over time, scales became more sophisticated and more accurate; including springs and elaborate lever systems.
Over time, scales became more sophisticated and more accurate; including springs and elaborate lever systems.
Today, there are scales capable of weighing objects to an extremely high degree of accuracy. The most accurate of these usually include a computerised component.
Today, there are scales capable of weighing objects to an extremely high degree of accuracy. The most accurate of these usually include a computerised component.
IMAGE: Equal-Arm Beam Scales
IMAGE: Depiction on papyrus of 'The Weighing of The Heart', from the Book of the Dead.
Different types of scales
Different types of scales
The International Society of Antique Scale Collectors offer a great overview of the main types of old fashioned scales people used in the past - and in fact still use today. The image below is from their website.
To view lots of examples of each of the below types of scales, visit their website.
Make YOur own scales
Make YOur own scales
Below is a collection of tutorials showing how to make a set of scales from regular household items.
Pick one or more to try, OR find your own example!
Pick one or more to try, OR find your own example!
a ' known weight ' ?
a ' known weight ' ?
Some of the tutorials below use coins as a counterbalance. If you visit the Royal Australian Mint website you can find out the weight of different Australian coins.
HOWEVER: it might be easier to use some other small object with a known weight.
For example:
1 sheet of A4 paper = 5 grams
1 sheet of A4 paper = 5 grams
1 Tic Tac candy = 0.49 grams
1 Tic Tac candy = 0.49 grams
And:
1 ml of water = 1 gram of weight!
1 ml of water = 1 gram of weight!
You might be able to use measuring spoons to pour out a certain amount of weight in water.
Note that a 5ml measuring spoon full of some kind of powder, is not 5 grams of weight. It must be water, not powder!
1 tablesoon = 20ml / 20g
1 teaspoon = 5ml / 5g
1/2 teaspoon = 2.5ml / 2.5g
1/4 teaspoon = 1.25ml / 1.25g
1/8 teaspoon = 0.6ml / 0.6g
Tutorial Example 1: Pendulum scales
Tutorial Example 1: Pendulum scales
InstructableScalesTutorial.pdfTools and materials
Scissors
Glue (ideally a glue gun)
A pen
Cardboard
A4 paper sheets weigh 5g.
String or wool
A clip (e.g. a peg, crocodile clip etc.)
A toothpick
Coins or some other 'known weight'
InstructableScalesTutorialCutout.pdfTutorial Example 2: Spring balance scales
Tutorial Example 2: Spring balance scales
Tools and Materials
A flexible ruler or similar object.
A block, tin, or other solid object.
Something to attach the ruler to the block or tin. (The video suggests a wall tack, but string to tie the ruler down would work just as well).
A bottle top (or make a small paper 'dish').
Paper to mark the weight measurements on. This can be stick on the wall or on a second upright block as done in this video.
Coins or some other known weight.
Tutorial Example 3: Spring scales
Tutorial Example 3: Spring scales
Tools and Materials
Elastic or a rubber band.
3 or 4 bull-clips, pegs or paperclips.
Coins or some other known weight.
Two straws - one narrower than the other.
STRAWS: Try a tiny straw from a juice box, and a regular straw from a take-away store. Also, straws from Slurpee drinks (e.g. McDonalds or 7-Eleven) tend to be larger than regular straws.
Tutorial Example 4: Simple Roberval scales
Tutorial Example 4: Simple Roberval scales
Tools and materials
A ruler
A pencil with flat edges (not rounded) or a similarly shaped object.
A pen
A bottle top
Coins or some other known weight
Tutorial Example 5: Equal-Arm Beam scales
Tutorial Example 5: Equal-Arm Beam scales
Tools and Materials
Cardboard
Glue (ideally a hot glue gun)
Paper
Scissors
String, wool or wire.
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