Influence of inertia in making settings on a linear scale

Abstract

In this study, the subject matched the position of a lighted insert in a black bakelite scale with a pointer controlled by a rotary knob. By means of two chronoscopes, time was measured separately for travel to the approximate location and for making the final adjustment. Similarly, action potentials from the active forearm were accumulated and measured separately during travel and during final adjustment. Inertia and friction were added to the system. It was found that added inertia as such has little or no practical effect on performance. Inertia in combination with backlash tends to increase slightly adjusting time. When heavy friction is present, added inertia tends to compensate for the deleterious effects of the friction to some extent. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)