Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

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?

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

Thank you for your quick response. I needed validation