How To Use A Triple Beam Balance
Pan
Pointer and
Zero Mark
Riders
Beams
Zero Adjustment
Knob
Triple beam balance is an instrument used to measure mass of an object. It functions by balancing an
object with three counterweights (the riders attached to three beams) to accurately find the object's weight.
Riders – The three sliding weights on the beams
Notch
Beams – Three beams that hold the riders
Back beam has 100 g scale with a 10 g rider
Middle beam has 500 g scale with a 100 g rider
Front beam has 10 g scale with a 0.1 g rider
Steps For Using A Triple Beam Balance
1. Make sure the balance is calibrated before using. With nothing on the pan calibrate by sliding all three
riders to their leftmost positions. Then twist the zero adjustment knob located below the pan until the
balance pointer lines up with the fixed zero mark.
2. Place the object to be weighed on the center of the pan.
3. Slide the 100-gram rider right one notch at a time. When the pointer drops below the zero mark, move the
rider back left one notch. For example, if your object weighs 62.4 grams, the pointer would drop below the
zero mark on the 100 gram notch. Move the rider back to the 0-gram notch.
4. Slide the 10-gram rider right one notch at a time. When the pointer drops below the zero mark, move the
rider back left one notch. In the example above, the pointer would drop below the zero mark on the 70 gram
notch so move the rider back to the 60-gram notch.
5. Using a pencil slide the 0.1-gram rider slowly across the third beam. There are no notches, so keep an eye
on the pointer as you slide. Stop sliding when the pointer lines up with the zero mark. In the example above,
the 0.1-gram rider will cause the pointer to line up at the zero mark at 2.4 grams.
6. Add the values of all three beams to determine the mass of your object. In the case of our example, add 0
+ 60 + 2.4 resulting in an object mass of 62.4 grams.