Question

Write the name of the instrument used to measure the mass of an object and state its principle.

Answer 1

The physical balance or called as the beam balance was the first instrument which is used to measure the solid mass. It contains a pivoted horizontal lever having the same lengths of the arms. This is called as beam. It has two pans in which the standard weights and the solid substance is to be placed. The unknown mass is placed in the right pan and the standard pans are placed in the left pan, generally. We want to balance the beam so that the beam is completely horizontal. Now calculate the total mass of the standard weights and find out the mass of the unknown substance