In simple terms, the following can be said:
A balance is used to caluculate the mass of an object in comparison to a known weight.
A scale is used to measure the force exerted on a mass by the gravity of the earth, then to convert that measurement into a calculation of the object's mass.
Therefore, we actually measure mass, not weight.
A scale provides much more precise calculations than does a balance.
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Scales measure weight by comparing an object's weight to a known standard weight. Balances, on the other hand, measure weight by comparing the weights of two objects or masses placed on opposite sides of a pivot point. Scales are typically used for larger objects and can be electronic or mechanical, while balances are often used in laboratory settings for precise measurements.
Scales or balances
Weighing balances can be classified into different types based on their mechanism, such as mechanical balances, electronic balances, and analytical balances. They can also be classified by their capacity and precision, which include microbalances, semi-microbalances, precision balances, and industrial scales.
In a modern lab, you would use a digital scale to measure mass. Historically, balances and spring scales were used.
An electronic balance is typically more precise than a beam balance because electronic balances can measure weight to smaller decimal points, providing more accurate results. Beam balances rely on manual adjustments and reading of weights, which can introduce more room for human error compared to the automated measurements of an electronic balance.
The largest mass that a balance can measure depends on the specific balance. Scales can range from small analytical balances that measure a few grams to industrial scales that can measure tons.