Balance vs. Equilibrium: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Balance refers to a state of physical steadiness or emotional stability, while equilibrium is a condition where opposing forces or influences are balanced, often used in scientific contexts.
Key Differences
Balance commonly denotes a state of physical stability or the ability to maintain bodily posture, whereas equilibrium refers to a state where different elements are in equal proportion or force, maintaining a system's stability.
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In emotional contexts, balance implies a stable mental or emotional state, balancing different aspects of life. Equilibrium, in a broader sense, can mean a peaceful or stable state in a complex system, like an ecosystem.
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Balance is often used in financial contexts, referring to the equality between the totals of the two sides of an account. Equilibrium in economics refers to a state where market supply and demand balance each other, setting a stable price.
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In physics, balance can describe the equal distribution of weight enabling something or someone to remain upright and steady. Equilibrium in physics is a state where opposing physical forces are equal, like in a balanced chemical reaction.
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Balance is a concept also used in art and design, referring to the pleasing or harmonious arrangement of elements. Equilibrium, by contrast, is used in scientific contexts to describe the balance of forces in a static or dynamic system.
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Comparison Chart
General Definition
State of stability or even distribution
Condition where opposing forces are equally balanced
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Usage in Science
Physical steadiness, equal weight distribution
State of rest or uniform motion in a physical system
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Emotional Aspect
Stability in emotions or mental state
Not commonly used in emotional contexts
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Financial Context
Equality in financial accounts
Market state where supply equals demand
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Art and Design
Harmonious arrangement of visual elements
Rarely used in this context
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Balance and Equilibrium Definitions
Balance
A condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
It's important to keep a balance between work and personal life.
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Equilibrium
A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
The chemical reaction reached equilibrium.
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Balance
The amount of money held in a bank account.
He checked his bank balance online.
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Equilibrium
A state where supply and demand balance each other, in economics.
The market reached equilibrium, stabilizing prices.
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Balance
Stability of one's mind or feelings.
Yoga helps her maintain her emotional balance.
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Equilibrium
The condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced, in physics.
The system was in thermal equilibrium.
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Equilibrium
A state of physical balance.
He lost his equilibrium and stumbled.
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Balance
A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. Also called scale.
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Equilibrium
A calm state of mind.
Meditation helped him find his inner equilibrium.
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Balance
A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
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Equilibrium
A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.
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Balance
The power or means to decide
Matters that fell outside the judge's balance.
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Equilibrium
(Physics) The state of a body or physical system at rest or in unaccelerated motion in which the resultant of all forces acting on it is zero and the sum of all torques about any axis is zero.
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Balance
The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium
Gymnasts must have good balance.
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Equilibrium
The state of a chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products does not change with time.
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Balance
A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
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Equilibrium
The state of a system in which more than one phase exists and exchange between phases occurs at equal rates so that there is no net change in the composition of the system.
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Balance
An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
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Equilibrium
The condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced, resulting in no net change.
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Equilibrium
(chemistry) The state of a reaction in which the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are the same.
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Balance
The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
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Equilibrium
(physics) The state of a body at rest or in uniform motion in which the resultant of all forces on it is zero.
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Equilibrium
Equality of weight or force; an equipoise or a state of rest produced by the mutual counteraction of two or more forces.
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Balance
(Chemistry) Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
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Equilibrium
A level position; a just poise or balance in respect to an object, so that it remains firm; equipoise; as, to preserve the equilibrium of the body.
Health consists in the equilibrium between those two powers.
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Balance
(Mathematics) Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
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Equilibrium
A balancing of the mind between motives or reasons, with consequent indecision and doubt.
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Balance
To consider and compare or assess
Balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.
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Equilibrium
A sensory system located in structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head
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Balance
To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).
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Balance
To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).
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Balance
To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
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Balance
(uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
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Balance
(uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
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Balance
Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah
Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
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Balance
(uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
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Balance
(uncountable) The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.
The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.
I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
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Balance
(uncountable) Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
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Balance
(accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
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Balance
(accounting) The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.
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Balance
(watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
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Balance
The remainder.
The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.
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Balance
(transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
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Balance
(transitive) To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
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Balance
(transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
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Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
To balance partners
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Balance
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
To balance the boom mainsail
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Balance
(transitive) To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
To balance a set of books
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Balance
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
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Balance
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each sideTo make his balance true.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
English workmen completely lose their balance.
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Balance
An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; - also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.
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Balance
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
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Balance
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
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Balance
To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.
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Balance
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
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Balance
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things.
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Balance
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
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Balance
To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; - said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.
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Balance
To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.
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Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
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Balance
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
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Balance
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
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Balance
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice.
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Balance
Equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
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Balance
Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design);
In all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance
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Balance
Something left after other parts have been taken away;
There was no remainder
He threw away the rest
He took what he wanted and I got the balance
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Balance
The difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
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Balance
The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
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Balance
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
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Balance
A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
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Balance
Bring into balance or equilibrium;
She has to balance work and her domestic duties
Balance the two weights
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Balance
Equilibrium between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements.
The balance of power between the two countries was delicate.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is equilibrium used in chemistry?
In chemistry, equilibrium describes a state where reactants and products of a reaction are in a balanced state.
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Can balance apply to mental health?
Yes, balance can refer to emotional or mental stability.
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Is equilibrium a concept in economics?
Yes, equilibrium in economics refers to a state where market supply and demand are balanced.
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How do you achieve balance in life?
Achieving balance in life involves managing different aspects like work, leisure, and relationships evenly.
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What does balance mean in physics?
In physics, balance refers to the even distribution of weight enabling an object to remain steady.
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What is a state of equilibrium in physics?
It's a state where all forces acting on a system are balanced, resulting in no net change.
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What is dynamic equilibrium?
Dynamic equilibrium refers to a state where processes occur at the same rate, maintaining an overall balance.
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Does balance only refer to physical stability?
No, balance can also refer to emotional, mental, or financial stability.
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What is mechanical equilibrium?
Mechanical equilibrium occurs when all forces on an object are balanced, resulting in no movement.
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Can equilibrium change over time?
Yes, equilibrium can shift based on external forces or changes within a system.
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Is balance important in art?
Yes, balance is crucial in art for creating visually pleasing and harmonious compositions.
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Do balance and equilibrium mean the same in science?
While related, they are not the same. Balance often refers to stability, while equilibrium refers to a state of balance in forces or reactions.
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How do balance and equilibrium relate to health?
Both concepts relate to health in terms of physical stability, mental well-being, and homeostasis.
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How is balance used in finance?
Balance in finance refers to the amount of money in an account or the equality of financial accounts.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can balance be a physical device?
Yes, a balance can be a device used for measuring weight.
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Can balance be emotional?
Yes, balance can refer to emotional steadiness or harmony in feelings.
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Is equilibrium always stable?
Equilibrium is generally stable, but it can be disturbed by external factors.
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What disrupts equilibrium in a market?
Changes in supply, demand, or external economic factors can disrupt market equilibrium.
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Can balance be learned or improved?
Yes, physical and emotional balance can be improved through practice and self-awareness.
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Is equilibrium only a scientific term?
Primarily, but it's also used in economics and to describe mental calmness.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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