Question

You must have seen two types of balances for weighing objects. In one case there are two pans. In one pan, we place the object to be weighed and in the other we place weights. The other type is a spring balance. Here the object to be weighed is suspended from the **** at the end of a spring and reading is taken on a scale. Suppose you weigh a bag of potatoes with both the balances and they give the same value. Now you take them to the moon. Would there be any change in the measurements made by the two balances?

Answer 1

Balances with two pans actually compare masses because g acts on both the pans and gets cancelled. The other type of balance, spring balance, measures weight. The balance with two pans gives the same reading on the moon as on the earth. Spring balance with give weight as 1/6th that on the earth for a bag of potatoes.