NDLI: Extension of the measuring range of balances

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Robens, E. Dąbrowski, A.
Copyright Year	2006
Abstract	The basic principle of comparing the sample mass with the mass of a reference body in equilibrium gives the equal-armed beam balance a unique accuracy. Main parameters characterising the suitability of the instrument are measuring range, resolution and relative sensitivity (resolution/maximum load). The historical development of the values of these parameters achieved depended strongly on the practical need in those times.Technically unfavourable scales of the oldest Egyptian dynasties (~3000 BC) could resolve mass differences of 1 g and had a relative sensitivity of at least 10$^{–3}$. More sophisticated instruments from the 18$^{th}$ Dynasty (~1567–1320 BC) achieved a relative sensitivity of 10$^{–4}$ independent of the size of the instrument. In 350 BC Aristotle clarified the theory of the lever and at about 250 BC Archimedes used the balance for density determinations of solids. The masterpiece of a hydrological balance was Al Chazini’s 'Balance of Wisdom’ built about 1120. Its relative sensitivity was 2⋅10$^{–5}$.Real progress took place when scientists like Lavoisier (1743–1794) founded modern chemistry. At the end of the 19$^{th}$ century metrological balances reached a relative sensitivity of 10$^{–9}$ with a maximum load of several kilogrammes. That seems to be the high end of sensitivity of the classical mechanical beam balance with knife edges. Improvements took place by electrodynamic compensation (Emich, Gast).In 1909 Ehrenhaft and Millikan could weigh particles of 10$^{–15}$ g by means of electrostatic suspension. In 1957 Sauerbrey invented the oscillating quartz crystal balance. By observing the frequency shift of oscillating carbon nanotubes or of silica nanorods, masses or mass changes in the attogram or zeptogram have been observed recently.
Starting Page	17
Ending Page	21
Page Count	5
File Format	PDF
ISSN	13886150
Journal	Journal of thermal analysis
Volume Number	86
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	15728943
Language	English
Publisher	Kluwer Academic Publishers
Publisher Date	2006-05-29
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	balance history measuring range sensitivity Inorganic Chemistry Physical Chemistry Polymer Sciences Measurement Science, Instrumentation
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Condensed Matter Physics

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Some intriguing items in the history of scientific balances

The Damping of Balances

Vacuum for Balances

Optimizing of Balances of the Second Generation

A Brief History of the Balance in Society

Fast electromagnetic balance

The balance in the museum

The Impact of Control on the Development of Recording Balances

Michael Archangel and Balance

Extension of the measuring range of balances

Similar Documents

Some intriguing items in the history of scientific balances

The Damping of Balances

Vacuum for Balances

Optimizing of Balances of the Second Generation

A Brief History of the Balance in Society

Fast electromagnetic balance

The balance in the museum

The Impact of Control on the Development of Recording Balances

Michael Archangel and Balance

Extension of the measuring range of balances