Balance

Description

| |[pic] |

| | |

| |IMAGE. Top view of an electronic balance. |

| | |

| |A laboratory balance is used to measure the mass of reagents or laboratory equipment. Most modern laboratories are equipped with |

| |electronic balances (although occasionally counter-balance models such as triple-beam balances are available). |

| |Electronic balances have a wide range of accuracy depending on the intended use. Most balances encountered in introductory labs can be |

| |classified as either ANALYTICAL or TOP-LOADING. Analytical balances are used when a high degree of accuracy is needed for the |

| |measurement. Top-loading or triple-beam balances usually provide less sensitive measurement of mass than do analytical balances. This |

| |type of balance can weigh things to three decimal places. That is, it will weigh to the nearest thousandth of a gram. It should be left |

| |on at all times. When you're through using it, leave it on. If the components of an electronic balance are cold when you start, they |

| |will drift while warming up, causing changes in your measurements. Leaving it on so it stays warm will avoid this. |

| |The balance shown on the left is a three-place electronic balance. This balance has several features that are common to all electronic |

| |balances: a draft shield, a balance pan, a digital display, and a tare button. |

 The Tare...