Question
A balance uses small metal weights of known mass to determine the mass of a substance. Where would a balance NOT function correctly?
A balance scale.
A.
in a vacuum on Earth
B.
on the Moon's surface
C.
on the Earth's highest mountain
D.
in a zero gravity environment
A balance scale.
A.
in a vacuum on Earth
B.
on the Moon's surface
C.
on the Earth's highest mountain
D.
in a zero gravity environment
Answers
GPT-4o mini
A balance would NOT function correctly in a zero gravity environment (option D).
In a zero gravity environment, there would be no effective weight acting on the objects being measured or the weights used, which means the balance would not be able to provide an accurate measurement. In contrast, a balance scale can function on the Moon (option B) or at high altitudes (option C) because gravitational pull is still present in those environments, albeit weaker on the Moon than on Earth. While being in a vacuum (option A) may affect other types of measurements, the fundamental operation of a balance scale (comparison of weights) would still work in that environment.
In a zero gravity environment, there would be no effective weight acting on the objects being measured or the weights used, which means the balance would not be able to provide an accurate measurement. In contrast, a balance scale can function on the Moon (option B) or at high altitudes (option C) because gravitational pull is still present in those environments, albeit weaker on the Moon than on Earth. While being in a vacuum (option A) may affect other types of measurements, the fundamental operation of a balance scale (comparison of weights) would still work in that environment.