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11.09 Choose the right unit for mass

Lesson

Are you ready?

Let's review the  units of mass  that we already know by trying this practice problem.

Examples

Example 1

It is most appropriate to use milligrams to measure:

A
A pencil case
B
A pig
C
A small feather
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Choose the lightest object.

Apply the idea

Milligrams is used to measure very light objects like a small feather. The answer is option C.

Idea summary

Milligrams are appropriate to measure tiny very light objects like a small feather and insects.

Grams are appropriate to measure small light objects like a pencil case or cup.

Kilograms are appropriate to measure heavy objects like people and bikes.

Units for mass

This video introduces the units of milligrams, grams, kilograms and tonnes and discusses the types of objects that would be measured by these units.

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Examples

Example 2

Choose the most appropriate unit of measure for the mass of a biscuit.

A
Grams
B
Kilograms
C
Tonnes
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Use the table of examples below to compare the mass of a biscuit.

ObjectBest unit
block of chocolateGrams
a personKilograms
a truckTonnes
Apply the idea

A block of chocolate is closest to the mass of a biscuit. So we should use grams for finding the mass of a biscuit.

The correct answer is option A.

Idea summary

Mass is a measurement of how much matter is in an object. The weight is a measurement of how hard gravity is pulling on that object.

Examples of when to use certain units of mass:

ObjectBest unit
A featherMilligrams
A block of chocolateGrams
A personKilograms
A truckTonnes

Outcomes

MA3-12MG

selects and uses the appropriate unit and device to measure the masses of objects, and converts between units of mass

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