Proof mass explained

A proof mass or test mass is a known quantity of mass used in a measuring instrument as a reference for the measurement of an unknown quantity.^[1]

A mass used to calibrate a weighing scale is sometimes called a calibration mass or calibration weight.

A proof mass that deforms a spring in an accelerometer is sometimes called the seismic mass.^[2] In a convective accelerometer, a fluid proof mass may be employed.^[3]

See also

• Calibration, checking or adjustment by comparison with a standard
• Control variable, the experimental element that is constant and unchanged throughout a scientific investigation
• Test particle, an idealized model of an object in which all physical properties are assumed to be negligible, except for the property being studied

Notes and References

1. Web site: Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Glossary. Vittorio. Salvatore A.. October 2001. CSA Illumina. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140106200531/http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/mems/gloss_f.php. January 6, 2014. 6 January 2014.
2. Book: Johnson, Curtis D.. Process Control Instrumentation Technology. 1997. Prentice Hall. 0-13-441305-9. Accelerometer Principles. 6 January 2014. http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/ph/p/id/12#toc0. registration. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107014715/http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/ph/p/id/12. January 7, 2014. dead.
3. Mukherjee. Rahul. Basu. Joydeep. Mandal. Pradip. Guha. Prasanta Kumar. 2017. A review of micromachined thermal accelerometers. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. 27. 12. 123002. 1801.07297. 2017JMiMi..27l3002M. 10.1088/1361-6439/aa964d. 116232359.