Weighing scale

A weighing scale determines an object's mass or weight by comparing it with a reference or measuring the gravitational force acting on it.

Balance scale: A scale that determines mass by balancing an object against known masses. Its equal-arm design compares the unknown mass directly with reference masses.
Mass: A physical property that quantifies an object's inertia and, in physics, its gravitational interaction. A balance compares masses, while many electronic scales infer mass from force.
Weighbridge: A large platform scale used to weigh road vehicles and their loads. It applies weighing technology to heavy trucks and commercial freight.
Mass spectrometry: An analytical technique that separates ions by their mass-to-charge ratios. Despite its name, it analyzes ion ratios rather than weighing ordinary objects on a scale.
Spring scale: A scale that estimates weight from the extension or compression of a spring. The spring's deformation converts gravitational force into a readable measurement.
Weight: The gravitational force acting on an object, measured in newtons. A force-measuring scale detects weight, which changes with gravitational strength.
Kitchen scale: A scale designed to measure ingredients and other small objects in food preparation. Its fine resolution supports recipes that specify ingredients by mass.
Dynamometer: An instrument that measures force or torque, often in mechanical testing. It measures force for testing purposes, rather than determining an object's mass for weighing.
Load cell: A transducer that converts applied force into an electrical signal. Electronic scales use load cells to sense forces and produce measurements.
Gravitational acceleration: The acceleration produced by gravity at a particular location. Converting measured weight into mass requires a value for local gravitational acceleration.

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Normal forceRelated: A scale typically senses the normal force exerted on its platform.