Negative Newtons

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warnermonarch
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:04 pm
Occupation: Parent
Project Question: Negative Newtons when doing "Making It Shipshape: Hull Design and Hydrodynamics". I used a Vernier dual rang force sensor.
Project Due Date: Jan. 16,2015
Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data

Negative Newtons

Post by warnermonarch »

When doing the project "Making It Shipshape: Hull Design and Hydrodynamics", I have negative Newtons on my Vernier Dual Range Force Sensor. I realize that the negative or positive just tells me direction the force is acting. Can I ignore the negative and just compare the numbers?
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rmarz
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Posts: 634
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:26 pm
Occupation: Technology Consultant
Project Question: n/a
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Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Negative Newtons

Post by rmarz »

warnermonarch - Ignoring the 'sign' seems reasonable. Sensors of this type react in a push-pull fashion, so the way you have it mounted in your project is likely changing the 'sign' of the measurement. Just use the absolute force number.

Rick Marz
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warnermonarch
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:04 pm
Occupation: Parent
Project Question: Negative Newtons when doing "Making It Shipshape: Hull Design and Hydrodynamics". I used a Vernier dual rang force sensor.
Project Due Date: Jan. 16,2015
Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data

Re: Negative Newtons

Post by warnermonarch »

Thank you for your quick response. I needed validation :-)
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