Question

Two Newton spring scales (negligible mass) are suspended as shown in this diagram. If an 8.0-N weight is hung on scale B, which would the readings on the two scales be?

Answer 1

force on both is 8N

Answer 2

so it'd be scale A: 4 N; scale B: 4 N

Answer 3

well if there was 1 scale it would read 4N. now attach another scale to the top of it. why would the force on the bottom scale halve?

Answer 4

it would remain the same, it would still have 8N pulling down on it

Answer 5

scale A: 6 N; scale B: 2 N

Answer 6

for the bottom scale, it has 8N pulling down, and so it must have 8N pulling up in order to be balanced (otherwise it would accelerate F = ma)

and in order for it to be pulled up by 8N the top scale has to pull with magnitude 8N

they both display 8N

Answer 7

scale A: 8 N; scale B: 8 N thanks for that explaination ^

Answer 8

sure. If they were both connected seperately to the mass. then the forces add and they would both read 4N

Answer 9

@JamesWolf so would my term be correct ?

Answer 10

yep both read 8N