Date:.........................................

1.5:

Understanding the Concept of Mass

Aim: Measuring the weight and the mass of some objects

Apparatus and Materials:
Lever balance, spring balance, weights of 10g, 20g, 50g, 100 g, a pencil box and a text book.
Procedure:
1.
A 10g weight was put on a lever balance to measure its mass.
2.
Step 1 was repeated with other weights and objects.
3.
The weight of all the weights and objects were measured with a spring balance.
4.
The results were recorded in a table.
Observations:
Object
10g weight

Mass (g)

Weight (N)

20g weight
50g weight
100g weight
pencil box
text book
Discussion
1.
State one precaution you should take while using a spring balance.
..................................................................................................................................................
2.

What does the weight of an object mean?

...................................................................................................................................................

3.

The weight of an object is not constant. Explain this.

...................................................................................................................................................

4.

i. What is meant by the mass of an object?

.............................................................................................................................................
ii. Why does the mass of an object is the same throughout the world?
.............................................................................................................................................

5.

i. Why must the pointer of the spring balance at the 0 mark before the objects are placed
on the balances?
.............................................................................................................................................
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ii. What should be done if the pointer of the balance does not point at the 0 mark before
the object is placed on the balance?
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
6.

Name one more tool to measure

i. mass :..................................................................................................................................
ii. weight :................................................................................................................................

7.

An astronaut who weights 720 N and has a mass 72 kg on the Earth lands on the Moon.
What will his weight and mass be? (Assume the Moons gravitational force is 1/6 of that of
the Earths)

Conclusion:
1.
The weight of an object is measured in ...................................................................................
2.
The mass of an object is measured in ......................................................................................
Exercise on measuring mass and weight
1. Name the instruments used for measuring mass

2. Name the instruments used for measuring weight.

a) ........................................................

b) .............................................................
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3. The diagram shows five types of balances, P, Q, R, S and T.

T
a) Look at the pictures of the balances in the diagram and answer the following questions.
State one function of the balances P, Q, R, S and T.
P :................................................................................................................................................
Q :................................................................................................................................................
R :................................................................................................................................................
S :................................................................................................................................................
T :................................................................................................................................................
b) Classify the balances, P, Q, R, S and T, into two groups based on their common functions.
Name the balances belonging to each group.

P, Q, R, S and T

Common Functions

Name the balances

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4.

Complete the crossword puzzle below. The first letter of each word is given to help you.
7

1
6
2

Across
1.
L.............................. balance can be used to measure the mass of an object.
2.
The pull of the Earth is called the force of g..................................
3.
The force of gravity on the M............... is 1/6 of the force of gravity on the Earth.
4.
The weight of an object is measured by using a s....................... balance.
5.
The units of measurement for smaller mass include the milligram and g..................
Down
6.
The S.I unit for mass is the k...................................
7.
We can find out the mass of an object by using an e........................................ balance.
8.
The w......................... of an object is the pull of the Earth on it.
9.
The S.I unit for weight is the n..................................
5.

Mark ( ) for the true statements and ( ) for the false statements relating
to mass and weight.

a)

The weight of an object remains the same in different places.

b)

The unit for weight is Newton.

c)

The mass of an object is the quantity of matter found in an object.

d)

The mass of an object is not affect by gravitational force.

e)

A spring balance is used to measure the weight of an object.

f)

The mass of a student on Earth and on Neptune, is the same.

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