balances

Balances refer to several related meanings that involve equality and equilibrium. In everyday language it denotes a state in which quantities, forces, or values are kept in proportion or in counterbalance. The term is used for instruments that measure weight, for financial accounts, and for the concept of stability in physical, chemical, biological, and social systems.

The weighing balance, or balance scale, is a two-pan instrument used to compare masses. An object is placed on one pan and a set of reference weights on the other until the beam is level, balancing by torque. This ancient device remains a standard for precise mass comparison in science and education, though electronic balances are common today.

In finance, a balance is the amount of money currently available in an account. Bank statements report balances such as the current balance and available balance. Reconciliation compares internal records with bank records to detect discrepancies, while a balance sheet summarizes assets, liabilities, and equity at a point in time.

In chemistry, balancing a chemical equation ensures conservation of mass. The coefficients placed before reactants and products adjust the numbers of atoms on each side so that total atoms of every element are equal.

Balance also appears in biology and design. In physiology it refers to homeostasis, and in the vestibular system of the inner ear it helps maintain posture and orientation. In aesthetics it describes visual harmony in composition, while in politics and international relations it denotes the balance of power among actors.