A keen engineering student wants to build a set of weighing scales to find his own…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics C: Mechanics · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
A keen engineering student wants to build a set of weighing scales to find his own weight—and that of his friends. He has a large bag full of springs of spring constant 250 Nm−1
(a) Suggest how the student can determine his weight using the springs he has as well as any other equipment he will require. [3]
(b) If the maximum amount that one of his springs can compress is 5.0 cm and the student’s mass is 65 kg, calculate the minimum number of springs he will need to use. ( g=9.81 Nkg−1 ) [2]