A force sensor may read zero correctly but still stretch its scale. Labelled test forces are provided by a teacher-operated calibration rig. Available equipment and procedure options: Apply each reference force in turn, log readings during loading and unloading, and plot sensor indication against reference force. Design an investigation of how the applied reference force affects sensor indication minus applied reference force. Include a reasoned hypothesis, an appropriate range, controls, repeat measurements, a results table or graph, and one specific limitation and safety measure. Do not invent experimental results.

Question

Accepted Answer

Vary the applied reference force; measure sensor indication minus applied reference force. Predict An ideal sensor should report the applied force; a gain error would produce a proportional departure. Keep sensor orientation, attachment point, loading duration and temperature constant, repeat each setting, and use the evidence to test the prediction. State a testable research question linking the applied reference force to sensor indication minus applied reference force, rather than asking vaguely which arrangement is best. A suitable prediction is: An ideal sensor should report the applied force; a gain error would produce a proportional departure. Justify that prediction scientifically: Testing only zero detects an offset but cannot establish that each scale interval has the correct size. This is a hypothesis to test, not a result that the experiment must produce. Use 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 N as the planned independent-variable settings. Measure the response using the supplied equipment: Apply each reference force in turn, log readings during loading and unloading, and plot sensor indication against reference force. Record quantities with units before calculating any derived result. Keep sensor orientation, attachment point, loading duration and temperature constant. This isolates the proposed cause; changing these conditions at the same time would allow competing explanations for any difference. Take at least three independent trials at each setting, resetting the apparatus each time. Tabulate the setting, individual responses and mean; plot the mean response against the changed quantity and show the range of repeated values. Evaluate this specific limitation: Hysteresis makes loading and unloading differ; retain both sequences instead of averaging away the pattern. More repeats alone do not necessarily correct a biased method. Protect participants and equipment by this precaution: Stay below the sensor rating and shield the area beneath suspended loads.

Zero error versus gain error

What a complete response should do

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