Average weight of a conventional teaspoon made of metal

Author: Mikael Häggström

Abstract
To estimate the average weight of a conventional teaspoon made of metal, 19 teaspoons were weighted, and the results were used to estimate an average weight of approximately 25 grams (confidence interval: 22 to 28 grams).

Objective
To estimate the average weight of a conventional teaspoon made of metal.

Method
19 teaspoons were gathered. The inclusion criterion was to be considered to be a conventional teaspoon made of metal by both the provider and author of the study. Teaspoons with handles partially made of plastic were also accepted. Each teaspoon was weighted with a digital scale of the model “AWS-100 Digital Pocket Scale”. Specifics of individual teaspoons are given in table in the “results” section.

Results
The average weight and its confidence interval was calculated by entering the resultant values above in an OpenOffice spreadsheet, with teaspoon description being entered in column A, corresponding weights in column B, formulas for the calculation of averages and confidence intervals in column E, and their designations in column D. Column F displays the formulas used in column E for clarity:

The spreadsheet gave the result that the sample mean was approximately 25 g, with a 95% confidence interval of approximately 22 g to 28 g.

Discussion
Considering that a majority of the teaspoons were imported, the result can be considered to be fairly generalizable in a global perspective.

Conclusion
A conventional teaspoon made of metal weighs, on average, approximately 25 grams (95% confidence interval: 22 to 28 grams).

Conflict of interest
None declared by author.