Chapter 18 - Mass, force, and torque measurement

Abstract

This chapter covers the three separate subjects of mass, force, and torque measurement. Mass measurement, and the related quantity of weight measurement, are considered first, and the three distinct ways of measuring mass using, respectively, a load cell, a spring balance, and one of several instruments working on the mass-balance principle are explored. Moving on to force measurement, it is noted that transient forces can be measured by an accelerometer whereas static forces are measured either by a vibrating wire sensor or by a special form of load cell. Looking next at torque measurement, the chapter reveals that the three current methods for measuring torque are to measure the induced strain in a rotating shaft, to measure the torque optically, and to use surface acoustic wave MEMS devices. Sections covering the calibration of mass, force, and torque sensors are also provided in the chapter.