How to Build a Weight Scale
A weight scale is an instrument used to find out the approximate mass of an object or person. These scales have been around for a long time and are one of the most important and practical pieces of technology we have today. Whether it is used to find out how much you weigh or how much meat and vegetables to buy, the weight scale is a valuable tool in everyday life.
Instructions
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1
Drive a nail through the center a rectangular piece of wood that is approximately about 1 1/2 feet long. Make sure the nail is completely through the other side of the board.
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2
Glue a graduated cylinder to each end of the wood board. Make sure the cylinders are about 1 inch in from the very edge of the board.
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3
Place the nail across your finger and check the balance of the scale. If it tilts to one side, then add small pieces of cardboard or tape to the opposite side until it is perfectly balanced.
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4
Cut a V-shaped groove into the top of a second wood block about the same size as the first block. Stand the block up, and sit the nail in the groove.
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5
Grab an object that you would like to weigh, and place it inside one graduated cylinder. Add some water to the cylinder on the other side of the scale, one drop at a time until your scale is perfectly balanced.
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6
Check the cylinder with the water in it, and see how many milliliters of water are in the cylinder. Each milliliter weighs around 1 gram.
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Tips & Warnings
When placing the nail across your finger, do not place the nail on your finger with the point down, as this can cause injury. Make sure your finger is under the nail itself.
