What is a spring balance and how is it used?

Answer 1

SPRING BALANCE

A spring balance apparatus is simply a spring fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object at the other. It works by Hooke's Law, which states that the force needed to extend a spring is proportional to the distance that spring is extended from its rest position. Therefore the scale markings on the spring balance are equally spaced.

Spring balance can be used in physics and education as basic accelerometers, but its main uses are industrial, especially related to weighing heavy loads such as trucks, storage silos, and material carried on a conveyor belt. Spring balance are used when the accuracy afforded by other types of scales can be sacrificed for simplicity, cheapness, and robustness. A spring balance measures the weight of an object by opposing the force of gravity with the force of an extended spring. Spring balances measure weights in Gram as well as Newton

The first spring balance in Britain was made around 1770 by Richard Salter of Bilston, near West Bromwich.[1] He and his nephews John & George founded the firm of George Salter & Co., still notable makers of scales and balances, who in 1838 patented the spring balance. They also applied the same spring balance principle to steam locomotive safety valves, replacing the earlier deadweight valves.[1]