xepci0 t1_jdhbkci wrote on March 24, 2023 at 12:12 PM Reply to ELI5: if I stand on a weighing scale that is kept on top of a soft surface (like a carpet) why does it show lesser weight that what actually is? by chiuchebaba The scale tilts a bit and some of the force is applied "from the side" and not paralel with the spring. That's the eli5 part. To be more specific, it will only measure a portion of the straight down force vector. Permalink 1
xepci0 t1_jdhbkci wrote
Reply to ELI5: if I stand on a weighing scale that is kept on top of a soft surface (like a carpet) why does it show lesser weight that what actually is? by chiuchebaba
The scale tilts a bit and some of the force is applied "from the side" and not paralel with the spring.
That's the eli5 part.
To be more specific, it will only measure a portion of the straight down force vector.