Truck scale

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/truck-scale

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the commercial function?Determines shipping costs and facilitates accurate accounting of transported goods
2. What is a truck scale and why do we need it?A truck scale, also called a weighbridge, is a big platform that tells us how heavy a whole truck is. It helps drivers and companies know if the truck is carrying the right amount of goods.
3. How does a truck scale measure the weight of a truck?The scale has special metal parts called load cells that feel the truck’s weight. When the truck sits on the platform, the load cells change a little and send a signal to the computer, which shows the weight.

Weighbridge: An international term for a large-scale weighing system used for vehicles.
Load Cell: A force transducer that converts a physical force into an electrical signal, fundamental to modern scales.
Tare Weight: The weight of an empty vehicle or container, excluding its load.
Gross Weight: The total weight of a vehicle including its cargo, driver, and fuel.