Dynamometers

A dynamometer is a tool that, from changes in the elasticity of a spring with a certain calibration, allows to calculate the weight of a body or to measure a force.

This device was invented by Sir Isaac Newton (1643–1727) from Hooke's law, taking the limits of measurement through the ability of a spring to stretch.

With the spring sheltered inside a cylinder, the dynamometer usually has a pair of hooks (one at each of its tips). In the hollow type cylinder that is located around the spring, on the other hand, the scale with the corresponding units appears. When a force is applied to the hook on the outer side, the cursor of that end moves over the scale and points to the value.

The dynamometer can have a specific design according to its application. This instrument can be used to weigh a thing and know its mass. In this case, the dynamometer must be calibrated each time it is moved to changes in the link between mass and weight.

Stressed materials can also be measured through dynamometersto find out how much they deform. Even in the field of orthodontics, dynamometerscan be used to establish what forces are applied in the treatment.

It is worth mentioning that the scale on which this measurement is made is indicated in Units of force and the operation is quite simple. By hooking two weights or performing a force on the outer hook, the needle on that side moves towards the outer scale and signals the value of the force that has been exerted.

Its operation is related to the third law of physics exposed by Newton that says that every action corresponds to a reaction; therefore, whenever two bodies A and B interact, with body A experiencing a force either by contact, magnetic or gravitational interaction, body B will experience at the same time a force of similar magnitude, but in the opposite direction.

The dynamometer can have various uses, here are some of them:

* Measure the weight of an object and also be able to obtain its mass. In this case, each time it is used, the dynamometer must be calibrated again because the relationship between mass and weight varies according to the element to be weighed;

* Apply in the testing machines of a laboratory. To measure specimens or the deformation thereof in a tensile test or the penetration of a hardness test;

* Measure forces applied during a specialized treatment, used mainly in orthodontics.

One of their fundamental characteristics is that they have measurement ranges ranging from a few Newtons to hundreds of kilonewtons.

There are two types of dynamometers:mechanical or electronic. The former are the most used because they are estimated to be the most accurate, presenting a maximum deviation of ± 0.3% of the load. For example, dynamometersavailable for sale in novaut are suitable for solving practical issues without requiring electric current. They are recommended especially for environments where there may be sparks or places where it is necessary to ensure safety.

Differences between dynamometers and balance

It is important to distinguish between the dynamometer,which measures forces, and the balance, which measures masses. In any case, some objects that are known as scales are, in fact, dynamometers, since they work by means of springs that extend or compress. That is the case of the kitchen scale that is used to weigh food.

To explain this more clearly, the dynamometer measures the weight of a body, which means that it marks the force with which the object is attracted by the gravity field, while the balance measures the mass, that is, the amount of matter contained in that body. That is, if you took both measuring objects to the top of a mountain or to the moon, the measurement marked by the dynamometer would differ in one place and another, while that of the balance, no.