8.05 Measure and estimate mass
Are you ready?
Do you remember the units of mass? Let's try these problems to practice.
It is most appropriate to use grams to measure:
Your mass
AYour pencil case
BA bus
C
It is most appropriate to use kilograms to measure:
An eraser
AA button
BA bike
C
Learn
When measuring the mass of an object, we have two main methods.
- We can balance a scale with weights that we already know.
- We can measure the mass by reading a mechanical scale.
This video looks at measuring the mass of objects using a scale.
It is useful to know the mass of some common objects so that we can estimate the mass of new objects.
Apply
Question 1
The scale below shows an object balanced evenly with a particular set of weights.
The following weights were on the scale:
What is the total mass of the object?
Question 2
What measurement is indicated on this scale?
QUESTION 3
Choose the best estimate for the mass of a school student.
$40$40 g
A$400$400 g
B$4$4 kg
C$40$40 kg
D
A gram has a mass similar to a piece of paper, or a feather. A kilogram has a mass similar to a $1$1 liter bottle of milk or juice. We can measure the mass of objects with different types of scales. Mechanical scales are just like a number line, but in a circle.