Testtömeg

Testtömeg, commonly referred to as a test mass, is a precisely defined quantity of matter used as a reference or calibration artifact in experimental setups. Its main purpose is to provide a known inertial or gravitational load to a device under test, enabling the measurement of responses such as force, acceleration, or displacement.

In metrology and instrumentation, the test mass is required to have a mass value traceable to the SI kilogram. It is typically manufactured to fit mounting fixtures and to minimize effects from buoyancy, air currents, and surface interactions. Materials chosen include metals with good dimensional stability and predictable properties, such as stainless steel, brass, or tungsten alloys, depending on the application. The geometry is often designed to ensure a well-defined center of mass and to reduce torques or unwanted moments when mounted.

Applications of test masses include calibrating load cells and force sensors, accelerometers, and precision balances; performing vibration or shock testing to characterize system response; and serving as known loads in various physics experiments where controlled mass is needed to simulate inertial effects.

Preparation and measurement involve careful weighing against calibrated standards, with buoyancy corrections applied when relevant. The mass is mounted with attention to the location of the center of mass and to minimize contact-induced effects. In high-precision contexts, the mass may be used in vacuum or within vibration-isolated environments and monitored for temperature stability.

See also: mass, calibration, metrology, inertial sensor, force sensor.