Spring scale with a zero error

An example figure from the Spring Scale Generator.

Two 10 N spring scales: on the left, with nothing hanging, the pointer rests at 0.20 N; on the right, with a block, it reads 4.30 N — The same 10 N spring scale twice. On the left, with nothing on its hook, the pointer rests below zero, at 0.20 N; on the right, with a block hanging, it points to 4.30 N. Students take the zero error off the reading to find the force.

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Answer key

Reading: 4.30 N, zero offset: +0.20 N
Force: 4.10 N

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