A spring balance operates by the extension of a spring. It has been calibrated on Earth to measure mass in kilograms.
A beam balance operates by balancing standard masses against the unknown mass to be measured.
The same unknown mass is measured with each balance on Earth and then on Mars. The gravitational field strength on Mars is significantly weaker than that on Earth (gMars<gEarthg_{\text{Mars}} < g_{\text{Earth}}gMars<gEarth).
How do the measurements on Mars compare with the measurements on Earth?
Spring balance: smaller on Mars than on Earth; Beam balance: smaller on Mars than on Earth
Spring balance: smaller on Mars than on Earth; Beam balance: same on Mars as on Earth
Spring balance: same on Mars as on Earth; Beam balance: smaller on Mars than on Earth
Spring balance: same on Mars as on Earth; Beam balance: same on Mars as on Earth
209 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics Mass and weight, covering Mass and weight. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.