Analytical Balance for Indirect Measurement of Mass

Analytical Balance for indirect measurement of mass

Analytical Balance for indirect measurement of mass

Here is instructions for an experiment to indirectly measure the mass of a bolt.  There is a whodunit element to the exercise in that the instructions do not give clear directions as how to go about measuring the mass since the bolt is attached to a nut that cannot be removed. A number of hints are provided in the copy and also suggestions on determining the mass using a balance beam or an analytical balance.  The choice of method and equipment to use is largely left to the discretion of the student with only the goals being stated and a few focus questions being asked to help establish the direction in which to move the experiment.  Give it a try and pop your answer in the comments below.

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About Bob Sandor

Bob began working as a chemist in 1987 and remains a science geek to this day. After his PhD he worked on the bench in materials and inorganic chemistry for 10 years. He then took on a love for marketing and sales. He combined his passion for science and business and took entrepreneur general management positions in large corporations like Hoecsht Celanese now Sanofi Aventis, Bel-Art and Smiths Detection. There he learned what it would take to run a business and finally Tovatech was co-founded in 2006. Bob’s hobbies include playing, listening and composing music, skiing, working out, the internet and all things science. Read More