Home

Catalog

Freebies

How to Homeschool

Homeschool Directory

Contact Us

What's New

Site Map

Mass and Weight

The Mass and Weight MatchCard offers students the opportunity to compare the differences between weight and mass. Students also practice using a balance scale. Instructions for making a simple balance scale at home are provided.

Download Arrow mass and weight worksheet

Let's Compare Weight and Mass

Objective: Compare Mass and Weight.

MatchCard: Download below.

What Is Weight?

Weight is the measurement of the FORCE OF GRAVITY on an object.

Weight changes on earth, compared to another planet or in outer space.

Why?

Since gravity is the pull of an object toward the center of another object, where gravity is weaker the weight is less. The further an astronaut gets from the earth's surface, the less he or she weighs.

What would happen if you went to live on a larger planet? The force of gravity on a larger planet would be stronger, so you would weigh more. Gravity is measured by a spring scale. Modern digital scales use the same type of measurement as a spring scale. It measures the force of the person's weight being pulled toward the core of the earth.

What Is Mass?

Mass is the measurement of the AMOUNT of MATTER in an object.

Mass is the same whether it is measured on earth or in space.

Mass is measured by a balance scale. With a balance scale, the mass of the object being measured is compared to the mass of a known object. For instance, a one kilogram metal weight could be used.

Why doesn't mass change in outer space?

If we took our balance scale and our standard weights to outer space (or another planet) we would find objects have the same mass as they do on Earth. The pull of gravity will equally affect the object being measured and the standard weight. The amount of matter in the object hasn't changed, therefore it's mass is the same.

Using Different Scales

If you have any scales in your house, get them for this activity. Otherwise, get pictures of scales.

Determine if each scale measures mass or weight.
What is the range of the scale?
What could it measure?

Predicting Weight

Place a variety of canned goods and books on your table.
Pick up a one pound can. Let the student feel how heavy it is.
Pick up objects like books or tools. Can they guess the weight.
After they predict, weigh it on a scale. How close was their guess?
With practice, their ability to predict will improve.
If you have a small kitchen or postal scale that measures grams, repeat this activity with small items.

Make Your Own Balance Scale

If you do not have a balance scale at home, here is a simple on you can make:

Use duct tape to tape a wooden spoon to the counter or table top, so the stick hangs over the edge.
Hang a wire clothes hanger on the spoon. You can also use a plastic hanger.
Punch two holes in the top of two bathroom cups.
Cut two equal size pieces of string or yarn.
Thread the string through the holes in the cups and tie them so they hang on the hanger. The cups should be the same length from the hanger.
Use one of the following as weights:
- Paper Clips 1 gram
- Pennies 2.5 grams
- BB's (Different sizes have different weights. 0.25 grams is common)
Weigh a number of small items:
- small toys
- erasers
- small cookie
- etc

Does Air Have Mass and Weight?

Here is a simple experiment to determine if air has mass and/or weight.

Put two balloons - both the same size - on your balance scale. They should be equal in mass and weight.
Blow up one balloon. You can see that it has Volume.
Now tie the blown up balloon onto the scale. Is it heavier than the flat balloon?

Answer: Air has volume, mass, and weight.

Download and Use the Mass and Weight MatchCard

This is MatchCard #2 of the Force and Motion Unit Study. You can DOWNLOAD the Weight and Mass MatchCard HERE.

The 1st page is the students' worksheet. The student places the definition and the descriptions in the correct box.

The 2nd page is the Instructor's Guide with the correct answers.

The 3rd page has the Information Pieces. Student's cut them apart and place them in the correct place on their copy of the Matchcard (first page.)

How to Use the MatchCards

For more information on how to use the Matchcards, see the MatchCard Science Instructor's Guide. You will find ideas for making a notebook to review and master science concepts.

Force and Motion Unit Study

Download the complete Force and Motion Unit Study. Seven objectives will give your students hands-on experience and master the concepts related to force and motion.

***z-matchcard-footer***