Uses of a Balance Scale
The balance scale is an instrument used for weighing various products or ingredients. Its usage spans hundreds of years. The balance scale is one of the most accurate means of weighing an object. The balance scale consists of a horizontal beam with equal length arms and a holding pan suspended on the end of each arm. An object of a fixed weight, such as an ounce, is placed in one pan and the other pan is filled with the object to be weighed until the scales balance themselves.
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History
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The balance scale is the oldest means of measurement. There are examples of balance scales dating back to the fifth century B.C., which were found in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Readily adopted for use by the ancient people, balance scales measured weight of known mass to weight of unknown mass.
Uses
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One of the most popular visions of the balance scale is found in its use in the old west to measure the weight of gold dust. Numerous movies depict the assayer's office using a fixed solid weight in one pan, while spooning the gold dust into the other pan until the scales balanced themselves upon their fulcrum. Because of its accuracy in measuring weight to unknown mass, the balance scale finds itself put to frequent use in the scientific laboratory. In addition, because different size pans are available for use on a balance scale, it is very diverse as to the amount of mass it can hold.
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Accuracy
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The balance scale is one of the most accurate means of determining the weight of an object because it is not affected by the earth's gravitational pull. Due to the availability of different fixed solid weights, balance scales can weight objects in grams, ounces, pounds, micrograms, and any other fixed weight. Because balance scales compare weight to mass, its units of measurement are expressed as mass units.
Benefits
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One of the main benefits of a balance scale besides its extreme accuracy is the fact that it uses no outside source of energy so depending upon its size the balance scale offers portability for use in the field. In addition, the balance scale requires very little maintenance in order to maintain its accuracy.
Problems
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As with any other piece of precision equipment, a balance scale is only as good as the materials of which it is made. Corrosion of the fulcrum point can decrease its accuracy, and the fulcrum point needs periodic cleaning. One should only use matching weight pans as the material of which they are constructed can vary if supplied by different sources. Always check the scales for accuracy by assuring that the empty pans balance before their use.
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