Weighing scale

A weighing scale (usually just "scale" in common usage) is a device using for measuring the weight of an object. These scales are often used to measure the weight of a person, but are also used in science to obtain an approximate mass of an object.

The original form of weighing scale consisted of a beam with a fulcrum at its middle. To determine the mass of the object to be weighed, a combination of reference weights was hung on one end of the beam while the object was hung on the other end.