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Re: atmosphere and normal force

In a message dated 12/10/98 5:24:02 PM Central Standard Time,
zachary_wolff@YAHOO.COM writes:

Why doesn't this effect show up in scales where the load is supported
ON a spring instead of FROM a spring. A standard bathroom scale
shouldn't function properly if the effect you're describing is really
happening.

I'm not quite sure of the whole discussion here, but I don't believe a spring
scale, or a bathroom scale will really measure the true weight when there is
an atmosphere. Although the error will be small.

One might attack this question as follows:

1. Review Archimedes' Principle.
2. Measure the weight of a mass in vacuum.
3. Measure the weight of the same mass in air.
4. Measure the weight of the same mass at various levels of submersion in
water.
5. Measure the weight of the same mass completely submerged in water.

Bob Carlson