How Is Force Measured?
There are many ways to measure force. One of the most common ways is to use a spring scale. Springs work in two ways. They can be stretched and they can be compressed. You stretch a spring by pulling on it. The harder you pull on the spring, the more the spring will stretch. By measuring how far the spring stretches, we can determine how hard you are pulling on the spring (how much force is being exerted on it).
You can also measure a force by pushing on a spring. The harder you push on the spring, the more the spring will compress. By measuring how far the spring compresses, we can again determine how hard you are pushing on the spring (how much force is being exerted on it).
Forces are measured in units like pounds, or newtons in the metric system (International System of Units). When discussing forces, we say that we pushed on the wall with 50 pounds of force or pulled on the rope with 20 pounds of force.