Dela Peña, Symon Paul R.

July 20, 2019

Assignment No. 2

Linear & Nonlinear

AVTE 214 – 3C Scale Engr. Jover Boyd T. Chan

Research on linear and nonlinear scale.

What is a linear scale? A linear scale is a scale that consists of equally space
divisions, sections or proportions. What does that mean? Well it mean that each line,
grid or marking you see are equal in value or size. You can think of the divisions,
sections or proportions on a linear scale has being directly proportional. Linear scale is
used to obtain accurate measurement of distance, mass, volume, etc. Machines also
utilize linear scale to produce the desire outputs.

Some machines that utilize linear scale includes; drilling machines, lathe, milling
machines, and planer. There are hundreds of other machines that utilize linear scale.
Examples of linear scale includes; ruler, measuring tape, measuring cylinder, graph
sheet, etc.

We will now look at non-linear scale. As the name suggest “non-linear”, which
mean uneven or not equal. So a non-linear scale consists of unequally space divisions,
sections or proportions. This mean that the lines, grids or markings you see are not
equal or constant in value or size. Or scientifically speaking the divisions, sections or
proportions are not directly proportional. If you want a really good example of a non-
linear scale take a look at the logarithmic scale.

In Graph A the relationship between distance and time is linear. Why? You can
say each meter is covered in the same time throughout the journey. E.g. 1meter = 2
seconds, 2m = 4sec, 3m = 6sec, etc. In Graph B the relationship between distance and
time is non-linear. Why? You can say each meter is not cover in the same time
throughout the journey. E.g. 1m = 2sec, 2m = 5sec, 3m = 13sec, etc.

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 Galvanometer-based ammeters are linear. They was probably thinking
of "moving iron meter", which is indeed non-linear; the deflection in those is proportional
with the square of the current, so the screen might look like:

The difference in linearity between galvanometer and moving-iron meter these is

owed to the fact in the former the flux density is constant, while in the latter, the
movement of the iron increases the flux, so it's a form of positive feedback if you like.

It's actually possible to manipulate the geometry of the coil so that the moving-
iron meter is somewhat linear in parts of its scale.

Also an ammeter that is used for measuring AC currents will be nonlinear

because of the drops of the diode rectifier that is incorporated.

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