Flat rigid support that holds either the body to be weighed or the weights.
beam
Horizontal metal bar that balances on a vertical axis and supports a pan on each end.
weight
Piece of metal, such as copper or iron, of known mass that is placed on a pan to balance the scale and thereby assess the corresponding mass of a body.
pointer
Metal needle that indicates the point of equilibrium on the dial when the beam is level.
dial
Graduated surface with a pointer in front that indicates the point of equilibrium for the two pans.