Editing Counterweight (section)

{{short description|Equivalent weight that balances a mechanical system}}
{{other uses}}
[[Image:Simple Crane diagram..png|thumb|right|400px|A simple crane]]

A '''counterweight''' is a [[weight (object)|weight]] that, by applying an opposite force, provides balance and stability of a [[machine|mechanical system]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/counterweight |title=counterweight |website=The Free Dictionary |publisher=Farlex |access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref> The purpose of a counterweight is to make lifting the load faster and more efficient, which saves [[energy]] and causes less [[wear and tear]] on the lifting machine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-elevators-work.html |title=Elevators |last=Woodford |first=Chris|author1-link=Chris Woodford (author)|date=2019-06-11 |website=Explain that Stuff |access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

Counterweights are often used in [[traction force|traction]] [[elevator|lifts]] (elevators), [[Crane (machine)|crane]]s and [[fair|funfair]] rides. In these applications, the expected load multiplied by the distance that load will be spaced from the central support (called the "tipping point") must be equal to the counterweight's mass times its distance from the tipping point in order to prevent over-balancing either side. This distance times mass is called the [[Moment (physics)|load moment]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ecrane-usa.com/products/bcdp.html |title=Basic Crane Design principles |year=2002 |website=E-Crane International |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724075015/http://www.ecrane-usa.com/products/bcdp.html |archive-date=2011-07-24}}</ref>

By extension, a '''counterbalance force''' balances or offsets another force, as when two objects of equal weight, power, or influence are acting in opposition to each other.