LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Understand The measurement of Force

SUCCESS CRITERIA

State the unit of force Explain how a spring balance work

Measure of force

7.2 MEASUREMENT OF FORCE

The SI unit for measuring force is NEWTON (N). This unit is named after Sir Isaac Newton, a great scientist and mathematician.

A spring balance or a newton balance can be used to measure the size of a force exerted on a body. The reading of the spring balance is the measurement of the magnitude of the force exerted.

A spring balance consists of a spring with a pointer attached at one end. The spring is elastic and can easily be stretched. The extension of the spring is calibrated to measure force in newtons.

The spring balance works on the principle that the extension of the spring is directly proportional to the force acting on it.

The greater the force acting on the spring, the larger the extension of the spring.

What is the SI unit for force? Newton (N)

A mass of 1 kg weighs about 10 N. what is the weight of an 800g mass? 800g = 0.8 kg Weight of 0.8 kg = 0.8 x 10 = 8N