What Weighs More or Less? A Fun Guide to Using a Balance Scale!

A balance scale is an interesting device for determining the weight of two items. To understand how balance scales have two sides, sometimes called ‘pans’, which are attached to one end of the stick to compare the weight or mass of two objects, you can play a guessing game.

What is a Balance Scale?

When you place an object in one pan and another object in the other pan, this causes the balance beam to swing, i.e., tip, thereby allowing you to determine if one object is heavier or lighter than the other object. If both objects weigh exactly the same, then the beauty of the balance scale is found in the fact that the beam will remain at rest in the middle.

Let’s Play a Game!

See if you can guess which item is heavier. You can do this activity with any type of scale. You will want to collect some items from the home (for example, a toy car, book, pencil, apple, or tennis ball) and guess which is heavier or lighter by placing both items on the scale. After you make your guess, check your guess by placing the objects on the balance scale and seeing which side tips down to test the hypothesis.

Example 1: Apple vs Tennis Ball

My Interpretation: Which do you think weighs more (an apple or a tennis ball)?
What do you think will happen? When you put the apple on the left and the tennis ball on the right, which side tipped?

Example 2: Book vs Toy Car

My Interpretation: Do you think the book weighs more than the toy car?
What do you think will happen? When you put the book on the left and the toy car on the right, which side tipped?

Example 3: Pencil vs Feather

My Interpretation: Which object do you think weighs less, the pencil or the feather?
What do you think will happen? When you put the pencil on the left and the feather on the right, which side tips?

Activities

1. Who Would Be Heavier?

• Activity: Compare the weights of different animals, objects, or people. For example:
  • Who would be heavier, a cat or a horse? (Answer: A 1. Who Would Be Heavier?
  • Activity: Compare the weights of different animals, objects, or people. For example:

Measuring with non-standard units

Are you aware that measuring something doesn’t require a tape measure or a ruler? You can come up with measurements using items you have around your house every day! Measuring with an alternative unit of measure is called measuring with an alternative unit. It’s a fantastic way to teach yourself to understand size, length, and even height. Let’s find out how you can use non-standard units of measure.

What Are Non-Standard Units?

Things that measure distances besides rulers or tapes are known as non-standard Units of Measure. You can pick anything for your non-standard units of measure, such as paper clips, LEGO® Bricks, your stuffed animal, or the distance to your friend’s house or class. There’s a fun element in choosing what to use as a non-standard unit of measure!