A spring scale is simply a spring fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object at the other. Spring scales are used to measure the force of a load. Spring scales measure the downward pull due to the Earth’s gravitational force of attraction and are measured in units called Newtons. Other spring scales measure grams (g). The gram scale measures the mass of objects. Some spring scales have the newton scale on one side and the gram scale on the other.

Notice on the images below the smallest unit is at the top of the scale. This is different than a thermometer or a graduated cylinder. Remember a spring scale works by hooking the object on the hook and pulling down.

You Try!
Practice reading the two spring scales below.

A spectroscope is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectroscopes are often used in astronomy and some branches of chemistry to measure wavelength. The scientific technique that utilizes the spectroscope is called spectroscopy. A spectroscope works by breaking light into the wavelengths (or spectra) that make it up. Simple spectroscopes contain prisms.

Source: Spectroscope Prism, Amazing Space