Measuring Mass

 Definition: The amount of matter in an object  Tool/Instrument: Balance (Triple beam balance)  MAIN unit: gram  Grams are for small/light objects  Examples of objects labeled in grams: paperclip, thumbtack, pencils

What Unit Should I Use?  Even though the main unit for mass is the gram, you need to know the others like kilogram and milligram.  The stem kilo means  It takes 1000 g = 1 kg.  _______________is a great measure to use for objects that _____________ be lifted by people (heavy).  Examples of objects labeled in kilograms: dictionary, people, ____________

KILOGRAMS (kg) 1 kg 40 kg 4 kg 917 kg

Milligrams  The opposite would be milligram. One piece Of Sand …..

 Milligrams are for very small objects.  The stem milli means.001 (one thousandth)  Examples of objects labeled in milligrams: one piece of hair one piece of dust, ______________

What about MASSIVE OBJECTS???  On your IPAD Look up the measure used for objects LARGER than 1000 kg.  Type in unit and examples of objects.  Unit: ___________________  3 Examples: (you can use pics or words)

“Zero” out balance  Check to make sure the balance is clean. Wipe and clean if necessary.  Move all the weights to the left of the balance (next to the weigh pan) so they are all at zero.  Look to see if the pointer line is perfectly in line with the mark and zero on the pan. This indicates whether the balance is zeroed out.

 If the lines do not meet, adjust the tare knob, which is located underneath the weigh pan. You should be able to zero the balance by repeating this procedure as many times as needed.

To Weight Objects  Make sure the balance is zeroed and the weigh pan is clean.  Place the object on the weigh pan.  Move the riders on the beams until they balance the object and the pointer hits zero. The riders MUST fall down and click into the groove.

Weighing objects….  Move the 100 weight (middle beam) over until it clicks into place. If the beam goes down, you added too much weight so move the middle back one spot to the groove. If the beam goes up, you need to add more weight.  Next, move the 10’s weight (top beam) over until it clicks into the groove. Observe what happens and adjust weight just like you did on the middle beam.  Next, move the 1’s weight (bottom beam) until the pointer is perfectly in line with the ____________on the post.

Helpful Hints to know……  Hint #1: Move the weights in order of largest amount to smallest amount until the pointer line is perfectly in line with the zero on the post.  Hint #2: If the bar falls down (below the zero) you have too much weight and you need to remove some.  Hint#3: If the bar goes up (higher than the zero) you need to add more weight because you don’t have enough.

To Find the Total Mass +add all 3 beams measurements’ together starting with the 100’s ( middle beam), then 10’s (top beam), and then the 1’s (bottom beam).  Label in grams  Youtube video: K8AQ K8AQ