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Thread ID: 54121 2005-02-04 10:25:00 Wanted plans for scales. beetle (243) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
321469 2005-02-04 10:25:00 Now before ya get to enthraled i need some weight scales for measureing little things, eg food, or shells and stones etc, suitable for children to use, something small.

But i cant just go out and buy some, i have to make them ( school project) i was wanting a plan or an idea, or a web site, that has either instructions or a pic of one,

I was wanting the sort that has to baskets or holders each end and tilt side to side depending on weight distribution. they sort of have a triangle peice and an arm that swings like a see saw idea.

i did google but i think my search or word skills may be letting me down, as all i can think of is scales. they may be called something else?

preferably something easy to make or design....and if not have to think of another idea.

This is based on a resource to use to show a mathematics theme....measurement, geometry, algebra etc.....
natural resrources best, and it has to be all made by beetle......:(



thanxs

beetle :@@: :@@:
beetle (243)
321470 2005-02-04 12:44:00 Now before ya get to enthraled i need some weight scales for measureing little things, eg food, or shells and stones etc, suitable for children to use, something small .

Probably the easiest with the least effort and most accuracy is a water displacement type of thing . Have a container (C1) full of water, and put the objects to be weighed in another container (C2) and put them in the first . Density of tap water should be ~ 1 (i . e . , 1 g/cm3, 1kg/l) . Have markers on the first container to show how much water is being displaced .

As an added bonus, you could use the exercise to explain density, calculate the density of water, calculate the density of other objects and liquids, and improve the precision of the "scale" (the precision is somewhat inversely proportional to the C1/C2 ratio of diameters) .

Make sure you explain to your children the difference between "weight" and "mass" .
vinref (6194)
321471 2005-02-04 13:19:00 Want this (tinypic.com) then here (grandprix-race-central.com) is the link. Rob99 (151)
321472 2005-02-04 23:51:00 Make sure you explain to your children the difference between "weight" and "mass".

ROFL, and whilst they're at it estimate the mass and diameter of the Earth, and the mass of the Moon.

Come on Vinref, this is for little children.

Rob99s link could be used as a basis, but could be made even easier for small children, and leave out frills like bubble levels and bearings.
The bearing is a very bad idea anyway, balances use Knife-edges, that is a 'V" shape resting on a flat surface. It could be wood on wood, the 'V" carved out with a sharp knife or chisel and glued to a wooden balance beam. That doesnt need to be aluminium.

Then you will need to make up a set of weights. These could be different sized stones that you have weighed on kitchen scales, and marked up with the weights, aiming to getnear to whole numbers like 10 grams,20 grams, 50grams, 100 grams etc.
Terry Porritt (14)
321473 2005-02-04 23:59:00 ROFL, and whilst they're at it estimate the mass and diameter of the Earth, and the mass of the Moon.

Come on Vinref, this is for little children.

The original post did not mention the age of the children, and I did not want to presume their ability to comprehend these things. Anyway, if they do not understand it completely, I think it would pique their interest at least.
vinref (6194)
321474 2005-02-05 00:09:00 To teach science effectively, it has to be interesting, easy to understand, and related to everyday things.
Make things difficult and children will be turned off.

There is nothing easier, more fundamental, and as old as time itself as knife edge balances.

Then you take the kids to the playground and let them play see-saw.
Terry Porritt (14)
321475 2005-02-05 00:51:00 Here you are Beetle, the most simply made balance you will ever find, made from a coat hanger. You will have millions in your motel, maybe.

www.smm.org
Terry Porritt (14)
321476 2005-02-05 05:52:00 Sorry people forgot to say age........ 0-5 age children, and to weight anything from shells to feathers, stones and such like....

Anything suitable to be weighed at a kindy or childcare type of thing, and yeah similar to that beam idea. i was thinking....
I think that the coathanger may be too simple for what i want at this stage..... this item has to be used in the future, (years possibly)

thanxs

beetle
beetle (243)
321477 2005-03-03 10:28:00 check this out peoples.....

HWMO made me some...:p


sal.neoburn.net


now he's a sweetie..... only prob is i broke part of it already and havent handed em in yet...tomorow....:p
nothing some more super glue wont fix.....

:D

typical beetle :p
beetle (243)
321478 2005-03-03 11:03:00 Looks great, beetle.
The children will love it.
Laura (43)
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