You can make a simple balance scale by hanging two cups with equal lengths of yarn from a hanger.
Crafting a functional balance scale at home is a straightforward project using everyday materials. This guide will walk you through the steps to create one using a standard clothes hanger, following the method described in the reference. This simple device allows you to compare the weights of small objects.
Materials Needed
To build your hanger balance scale, you will need just a few items:
- One clothes hanger
- Two small cups (paper or plastic work well)
- Yarn or string
- A hole punch or similar tool
Below is a quick look at the materials:
| Material | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes Hanger | 1 | The main support and pivot point. |
| Small Cups | 2 | Containers for objects to be weighed. |
| Yarn/String | Sufficient | To hang the cups from the hanger. |
| Hole Punch | 1 | To make holes in the cups. |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to assemble your balance scale:
- Prepare the Cups: Gather two small cups. Using a hole punch or similar tool, carefully punch a hole into three sides of each cup. These holes will be used to attach the yarn.
- Attach the Yarn: For each cup, tie one piece of yarn through each hole. You will have three pieces of yarn attached to each cup.
- Create the Hanger Attachments: Tie the ends of the yarn together for each cup. This will create a suspension system for each cup, allowing it to hang from a single point.
- Ensure Equal Length: This is a crucial step for accurate balancing. After tying the ends together for each cup, making sure that the overall length of the yarn (from where the ends are tied together down to the cup) is the same for each cup. Adjust the knots as needed.
- Assemble the Scale: Hang each cup from the hanger, using the point where the yarn ends are tied together. Hang one cup from one side of the hanger's bottom bar and the other cup from the opposite side.
Once both cups are hanging freely and the yarn lengths are equal, your balance scale is ready! You can now place objects in the cups to compare their weights. If the hanger remains level, the objects have equal weight. If one side dips, the object in that cup is heavier.
