Modern scales - how fast does the reading stabilize?
When we place an object on a simple mechanical scale to be weighed the weight does not immediately become known to us. We then have to place known weights in the other pan. Once we have done that we wait for the scale to stabilize and if it is tilted in any direction we increase or decrease the known weight accordingly. We then again wait for the scale to stabilize. Once the scale beam is horizontal when stable we know the total of the known weights is the weight of the object.
On a digital scale we expect the process to be much shorter. Which is true, we place the object and we get the weight displayed. We do not have to fuss about with known weights. And we do not see the weight reading oscillate before it stabilizes. But in actuality the strain gauges which are at the heart of the load cell which measures the weight digitally does take a little time to stabilize. It is just that this period is so small that we will normally not notice it.
However if we have a large number of objects to be weighed and we want to quickly place them on the floor scale platform have the weight recorded and move on to the next object then we will find we cannot make this process faster and faster without limit. If you have such a need it is important for you to find out how soon does the weight reading stabilize. And buy a scale for which the scale reading stabilizes fast enough for your needs. High quality scales such as a laboratory analytical scale will have strain gauges which are accurate, reliable, durable and they will stabilize in not much time when they are stressed.