Physical Balance

Physical Balance   Science Lab The mass of a body is the amount of matter present in it. The mass of a body is always constant, and its SI unit is the kilogram. The mass of a body is measured with a physical balance up to 1 milligram accurately. The physical balance consists of a light and rigid beam of brass, a metallic pillar, a wooden base, two pans, a metallic pointer, and an ivory scale. The device is enclosed in a box to avoid the effect of wind. A weight box containing standard weights comes with the balance. The mass of a body is found by placing the body in one pan, placing some standard weights in the other, and then calculating it from the standard weights placed and the resting point of the pointer. If the resting point of a physical balance coincides with the zero resting point, then the mass at the resting point gives the correct mass of the body.