Forcemeters

We measure forces in newtons.

Spring scales like this measure force. A forcemeter is a simple spring scale with a hook.

Measuring forces

We measure forces with a forcemeter. Forces are measured in newtons. We write N for short. An apple weighs about 1 newton.

Newtons are named after Isaac Newton, a scientist who studied forces and gravity more than 300 years ago.

How it works

A forcemeter has a spring inside. When you pull the hook, the spring stretches. The bigger the pull, the more it stretches, and the higher the reading on the scale.

Reading the scale

Hold the forcemeter straight and still. Read the number where the marker stops, with your eye level with it. Check what each small mark stands for – it might be 1 N, 0.5 N or 2 N.

Weight is a force

Weight is the pull of the Earth on an object. Hang an object on a forcemeter to measure its weight in newtons. You can also use a forcemeter to measure the pull needed to drag an object.

What I learnt

I can use a forcemeter to measure forces in newtons.
I can read a scale carefully.