Look up an image:
Explore by theme
steelyard
Scale used for weighing loads that has a beam with arms of different lengths; the shorter arm supports the pan and the longer arm supports the weights that slide to attain a balance.
pan
Flat rigid stand on which the body to be weighed is placed.
rear beam
Rigid metal bar along which the sliding weight slides to provide a relatively precise reading of the mass (graduated every 100 g).
front beam
Rigid metal bar along which the sliding weight slides to provide a very precise reading of the mass (graduated to 10 g).
base
Support that provides stability to the scale.
pan hook
Curved part from which the pan is hung by means of rods.
vernier
Small graduated dial that slides along the beams and provides a very precise reading of the mass (graduated to 0.01 g).
graduated scale
The divisions of equal length marked on the scale’s beam that constitute the units of measurement.
magnetic damping system
Device made up of magnets that reduce the beams’ oscillations when the weights are moved to provide a quick reading of the mass.
notch
Groove in which a sliding weight catches so that a precise reading on the graduated scale can be taken.
sliding weight
Sliding part that is moved along the beams until a balance between the two masses is attained.
