Inertial balance

device used to measure the inertial mass of an object

it enables one to measure the mass of an object in an environment where
weight can be assumed to be negligible
determines mass independent of the Earths gravitational force
can be used to demonstrate Newtons First Law of Motion [1]

Inertial mass vs. Gravitational mass

Inertial mass measures the resistance of an object to changes in motion in
response to an external force. Determination of inertial mass is a dynamic
measurement.
Gravitational mass determines the strength of the gravitational attraction between
the object and the Earth. It is measured as a static measurement.
Although with different interpretations, Newtonian dynamics has shown that the
inertial mass and the gravitational mass of an object must have equal values [2]

Objectives:
-

to calibrate a factory-made and an improvised inertial balance by

determination of spring constant
to show that the inertial mass and gravitational mass of an object are equal

[1] Science First, Morris & Lee, Inc. (2012). Inertial Balance. Retrieved May 11, 2016
from https://www.overleaf.com/4800111vmhngf#/14683812/
[2] R. Serway, & J. Jewett, Physics for scientists and engineers 6th edition, Chapter
5, Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning, Belmont, 2004.