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Structure of mechanism |
| Function |
This is a small brass scale with a weight at each extremity of its balance beam. One of the weights is a large, hollow sphere; the other is a small, solid cylinder. They are balanced when they are in free air. The beam rests on a brass column. The upper end of the column features a graduated semi-circle, over which moves a needle attached to the upper part of the beam. |
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Application |
| Examples of application |
This scale is used to demonstrate the principle of the vertical thrust of the air and the Archimedes principle. In free air, the two weights are balanced. If a dome is placed over the scale and a vacuum created inside the dome, the more voluminous of the weights pulls the scale down on its side. In free air, the thrust of the air maintains the balance between the two weights.
It was used by future teachers in their studies at the Men's and Women's teacher training schools in Clermont-Ferrand, now the IUFM (University Teacher Training Institute). |
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