Scales on hard surfaces vs. a carpet

fueledbychange

I know that when you don't weigh yourself on a hard surface, like tile, wood, etc. that the number on the scale is different. I am just wondering why this is?

azalais7

I think it's because your weight distributes differently/variably across the surface of the scale, so it can't get an accurate read.

nxd10

Yes. And because different spots in the rug are different in different places, every place you move it gives a different read.

3foldchord

ditto

nevermore99

It all depends on the construction of the scales - there are universal scales which should work on the carpets as well as on a hard floor.

In reality I've found that even on a hard floor some scales can give results varying by up to 0.9kg depending on the angle of the floor (it seems that English builders can't put in a level floor if their lives depended on it).

There is an article on New Scientist website with a picture explaining the physics:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2462-people-weigh-less-on-a-hard-surface.html