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1 - In the scale example (above), the adjustable quantity is ___________________

ID: 2989707 • Letter: 1

Question

1 - In the scale example (above), the adjustable quantity is ____________________, while the sensed quantity is ______________.

2 - Provide another example of a self-balancing (often called feedback) type, measuring instrument. Indicate the adjustable quantity and the sensed quantity

An important legacy technology for all kinds of continuous measurement is the self-balancing system. A "self-balance" system continuously balances an adjustable quantity against a sensed quantity, the adjustable quantity becoming an indication of the sensed quantity once balance is achieved. A common manual-balance system is the type of scale used in laboratories to measure mass: Here, the unknown mass is the sensed quantity, and the known masses are the adjustable quantity. A human lab technician applies as many masses to the left-hand side of the scale as needed to achieve balance, then counts up the sum total of those masses to determine the quantity of the unknown mass.

Explanation / Answer

1. In the scale example (above), the adjustable quantity is known masses while the sensed quantity is the unknown mass

2. An inverted pendulum is a pendulum which has its center of mass above its pivot point. It is often implemented with the pivot point mounted on a cart that can move horizontally and may be called a cart and pole. Most applications limit the pendulum to 1 degree of freedom by affixing the pole to an axis of rotation. Whereas a normal pendulum is stable when hanging downwards, an inverted pendulum is inherently unstable, and must be actively balanced in order to remain upright; this can be done either by applying a torque at the pivot point, by moving the pivot point horizontally as part of afeedback system, changing the rate of rotation of a mass mounted on the pendulum on an axis parallel to the pivot axis and thereby generating a net torque on the pendulum, or by oscillating the pivot point vertically