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Extension of the measuring range of balances

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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 18th 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 19th 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Analytische Chemie der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany, 55099, Duesbergweg 10-14

    E. Robens

  2. Wydziału Chemii, Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej, Lublin, Poland, 20-032, Pl. Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej 2

    A. Dąbrowski

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  1. E. Robens
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  2. A. Dąbrowski
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Correspondence to E. Robens.

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Robens, E., Dąbrowski, A. Extension of the measuring range of balances. J Therm Anal Calorim 86, 17–21 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-006-7571-9

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