Editing Counterweight

{{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.

==Examples==
;[[Trebuchet]]: There are five major components of a trebuchet: beam, counterweight, frame, guide chute, and sling. After the counterweight drops from a platform on the frame, gravity pulls the counterweight and pivots the beam. Without the counterweight, the beam could not complete the arc that allows the sling to accurately release the projectile.<ref name="redstoneprojects">{{Cite web |url=http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/how_a_trebuchet_catapult_works.html |title=How a Trebuchet Catapult Works |website=TrebuchetStore.com |access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref><ref name="howstuffworks">{{Cite web |url=https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/question127.htm |title=How does a catapult work? |date=2000-04-01 |website=HowStuffWorks |language=en |access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

;[[Crankshaft]]: A counterweight is also used in many rotating systems to reduce vibrations due to imbalances in the rotating assembly. A typical example is counterweights on [[crankshaft]]s in [[piston engine]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2009/05/understanding-crankshaft-balancing/ |title=Understanding Crankshaft Balancing |date=2009-04-12 |website=Engine Builder Magazine |access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref>

;[[Desk lamp]]: Some [[balanced arm lamps]] work with a counterweight to keep the arm and lamp in the desired position.

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| header    = Counterweights in architecture
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| image1    = 20071123 Ratner Center.jpg
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| caption1  = [[César Pelli]]'s [[Ratner Athletic Center]] uses [[Wire rope|cables]], [[WIKT:mast|mast]]s and underground counterweights as a load-bearing support structure.

| image2    = Pisa schiefer turm gewichte 1998 01.jpg
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| caption2  = [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]] has used external counterweights to stabilize the once gradually falling structure.
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;[[Elevator]]: In traction (non-hydraulic) elevators, a heavy counterweight counterbalances the load of the elevator carriage, so the [[electric motor|motor]] lifts much less of the carriage's weight (specifically, the counterweight is the weight of the carriage plus 40-50% of its rated capacity). The counterweight also increases the ascending acceleration force and decreases the descending acceleration force to reduce the amount of power needed by the motor. The elevator carriage and the counterweights both have wheels that roll on rails to prevent irregular movement and provide a smoother ride for the passengers.<ref name="Bellis">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-elevator-1991600 |title=The History of Elevators From Top to Bottom |last=Bellis |first=Mary |last2=Artist |first2=Was an Experimental |date=2019-08-11 |website=ThoughtCo |language=en |access-date=2019-11-05 |last3=Director |first3=Film |last4=producer |last5=Creator |first5=Video Game Content |last6=inventors |first6=freelance writer for some 18 years She specialized in writing about |last7=inventions |last8=March 2015 |first8=in particular Bellis died in}}</ref>

[[File:Space elevator structural diagram--corrected for scale+CM+etc.svg|thumb|220px|alt=Diagram of a space elevator.  At the bottom of the tall diagram is the Earth as viewed from high above the North Pole.  About six earth-radii above the Earth an arc is drawn with the same center as the Earth.  The arc depicts the level of geosynchronous orbit.  About twice as high as the arc and directly above the Earth's center, a counterweight is depicted by a small square.  A line depicting the space elevator's cable connects the counterweight to the equator directly below it.  The system's center of mass is described as above the level of geosynchronous orbit.  The center of mass is shown roughly to be about a quarter of the way up from the geosynchronous arc to the counterweight.  The bottom of the cable is indicated to be anchored at the equator.  A climber is depicted by a small rounded square.  The climber is shown climbing the cable about one third of the way from the ground to the arc. Another note indicates that the cable rotates along with the Earth's daily rotation, and remains vertical. |Space elevator with counterweight at top]]

;[[Space elevator]]: a proposed structure designed to transport material from a [[Astronomical object|celestial body]]'s [[Planetary surface|surface]] into space.  Many variants have been proposed, but the concept most often refers to an elevator that reaches from the surface of the [[Earth]] to [[Geostationary orbit|geostationary]] [[outer space]], with a counterweight attached at its outer end. By attaching a counterweight at the end, upward [[centrifugal force]] from the Earth's rotation ensures that the cable remains stretched taut, countering the gravitational pull on the lower sections and thereby allowing the elevator to remain upright. The counterweight itself could assume one of several forms: 
#a heavy, captured [[asteroid]];
#a [[space dock]], [[space station]] or [[spaceport]] positioned past geostationary orbit; or
#an extension of the cable itself far beyond geostationary orbit.
[[File:Лифтовый противовес.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|Counterweight of elevator]]
[[File:Кран с маховой стрелой.jpg|thumb|right|Concrete counterweights on a tower crane]]
[[File:Erie-Lackawanna bascule E Newark jeh.jpg|thumb|[[Bascule bridge]] with concrete counterweight]]
[[Metronome]]: A wind-up mechanical metronome has an adjustable weight and spring mechanism that allows the speed to be adjusted by placement of the weight on the spindle. The tempo speed is decreased by moving the weight to a higher spindle marking or increased by moving it to a lower marking.

; [[Crane (machine)|Crane]]: The tower crane (see picture) is a modern form of balance crane that is fixed to the ground. A horizontal boom is balanced asymmetrically across the top of the tower. The long arm carries the lifting gear.  The short arm is called the machinery arm; this holds the motors and electronics to operate the crane, as well as the concrete counterweights.<ref name="howstuffworks/crane">{{Cite web |url=https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/tower-crane.htm |title=How Tower Cranes Work |last=Brain |first=Marshall |date=2000-04-01 |website=HowStuffWorks |language=en |access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

Other examples include:
* [[Vertical-lift bridge]]
* [[Drawbridge]]
* [[Bascule bridge]]
* [[Forklift]]

== See also ==
* [[Queen Anne Counterbalance]]
* [[Water balance propulsion]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commonscat-inline|Counterweights}}

{{Space elevator}}

[[Category:Force]]
[[Category:Mass]]
[[Category:Space elevator]]
[[Category:Bridge components]]
[[Category:Weights]]