The Difference Between Weighing Balances and Weighing Scales

Although there are a lot of differences between these weighing balances and scales, these terms are used interchangeably these days. However, one must not fall into this practice as the quantities measured by the two are entirely different. Today, we at All Scale Shop would like to demystify and help you understand the difference between weighing balances and scales. While Weighing Balances are used to measure mass, the latter are used to measure force. For beginners, Mass is defined as the measure of the quantity of matter; weight, on the other hand, can be defined as the force of gravity that acts on an object. Since the value of gravitational force varies, Weight is a variable, in contrast to Mass which is a constant.

The Difference Between Weighing Balances and Weighing Scales 

If you go back some years into the past, you would easily recall the use of balances as no matter which country, which grocery store you had been to, you were bound to see these weighing balances being used for measuring the quantity of food items/vegetables you’d bought. These Pan Balances comprise of two pans on either side, which are used to compare the torque on the arm due to the food items, to the torque on the arm due to a standard reference weight, using a horizontal lever. So basically, when you are paying for your groceries, you are paying for the gravitational mass of the things in your cart and not for their actual weight, as the effect of the gravitational pull is nullified because the same pull of earth is acting on both the pans.

Meanwhile, Weighing Scales make use of a spring that compresses or relaxes on loading and unloading of a weight respectively. This compression helps to measure the force between the object and the planet (Earth). For instance, you must have stood on the weighing machine at your doctor’s clinic. This machine uses a spring, which undergoes compression and points out your weight. However, these mechanical scales cannot be used for measuring heavy objects and thus have been replaced by Electronic scales, which depict the weight digitally.

Even though modern balances are more precise and can be used to perform calculations like limit functions for check weighing, percentage, mass unit conversion, specific-gravity weighing, etc. they are slowly and steadily losing their place to scales.

A common conception is that only a scale can be used to measure weight, and not a balance. However, this notion is completely wrong and will only create confusion in minds of other people. Both the scale and a balance can be used to measure weight, but owing to the limited capacity and size of the balances, scales tend to outlast them. This limited capacity is there to preserve the high display graduations and is not a technology constraint or flaw.

Nonetheless the analytical balances still find a place in various science laboratories because of the quality of generating higher precision as stated above. Technology does not cease to fascinate the mankind and it won’t be rocket-science if in a few years’ time, the weighing scales are replaced by something more accurate and reliable.

To learn more about the difference between weighing balances and scales, or to learn more about us at All Scale Shop, call us today at 201-475-9184. A scales and balances professional will be there to assist you.