| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Merlyn" |
| Date: |
17 Jul 2005 09:41:15 AM |
| Object: |
weight scales and carpets |
When I weigh myself on a scale placed on a carpet the weight is higher by
about two pounds than when the scale is on a hardwood floor. Why?
Merlyn
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| User: "CWatters" |
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| Title: Re: weight scales and carpets |
17 Jul 2005 11:03:29 AM |
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"Merlyn" <david.furlong@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:i6uCe.126$Qi4.20848@news20.bellglobal.com...
When I weigh myself on a scale placed on a carpet the weight is higher by
about two pounds than when the scale is on a hardwood floor. Why?
Merlyn
It should make no difference, however I can think of three possible causes:
1) It might be possible for an uneven carpet to alter the distribution of
weight on the scales somehow.
2) The different floors might be at different temperatures and the scales
might be sensitive to this.
3) If they are electronic scales perhaps static electricity is causing some
effects?
I'm sure you will be pleased to know that the weight measured on the solid
floor is likely to be the more accurate.
Colin
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| User: "PD" |
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| Title: Re: weight scales and carpets |
17 Jul 2005 01:45:27 PM |
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I suspect a mechanical spring scale, which would point to structural
distortion of the scale.
The feet sink into the carpet and the center of the scale at the bottom
also is compressed from below by the carpet, producing an anomalously
high reading.
PD
Merlyn wrote:
When I weigh myself on a scale placed on a carpet the weight is higher by
about two pounds than when the scale is on a hardwood floor. Why?
Merlyn
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