noun
torsion balance
A scientific instrument that measures small forces by the twist of a wire or fiber. Domain-specific physics term.
キャベンディッシュはねじり秤を使って万有引力定数を測定した。
Cavendish measured the gravitational constant using a torsion balance.
Standard kanji spelling using 秤 (scale).
Uses the less common kanji 捩 for 'twist'; learners will mostly encounter ねじり秤.
Compound of 捩り (twist) + 秤 (scale). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term directly describes the instrument's twisting mechanism.