CONCEPT: The properties of matter can be identified and measured.
CONTENT OBJECTIVE: 5D3.00 To understand the relationship between mass and weight
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
3.01 observe a demonstration which compares mass and weight.
3.02 compare objects to determine which has the greater mass and/or weight.
OUTLINE OF CONTENT:
I. Compare mass and weight
II. Demonstrate mass and weight
III. Determine which has greater mass and/or weight
TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Unifying Concepts of Science
TN GOAL:
To enable students to acquire scientific knowledge by
applying concepts, theories, principles and laws from life/environmental,
physical, and earth/space science.
TN THEME:
2.6 CONSERVATION - In any natural process the form may
change, but nothing is lost.
TN STANDARD(S): The learner will understand that:
2.6a Although there can be transformations of matter and energy
in changes, the sum of matter and energy is conserved.
BENCHMARK: Mass is a measure of how much matter an object contains. Breaking that object into parts does not change the total mass.
CLASSROOM CONNECTORS
TIME REQUIRED:
One instructional period
MATERIALS:
Paper clips, small rocks, water jar or beaker, scales, balances
SET:
We have learned that mass and weight are not the same. Today
we will learn the differences through observation of mass and
weight. We will compare different objects and decide which has
greater mass and/or weight.
INSTRUCTION:
Do you know the difference between weight and mass?
(response) Let's take an imaginary trip into space. What will
happen when you leave the pull of Earth's gravity? (response)
You will become weightless. You will float around in the cabin.
The weight of an object is a measurement of how much gravity is
pulling on the object. When there is no gravity, there is no
weight. Your body will still look the same and take up the same
amount of space. That is because your body has mass. The mass
of an object does not change in space.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION:
(Have scales and objects to weigh in the
classroom.) Everything in the world is made up of matter. Matter
also has mass. Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in
an object. The terms MASS and WEIGHT are often thought to mean
the same thing. Weight is a measure of the force of gravity on
an object. Fill a beaker or glass jar about 3/4 full of water.
Mark the level with a marker. Carefully place rocks, or other
objects that will sink, into the water, one at a time. Continue
doing this until the container overflows. (Ask students to decide why they think the objects make the water level rise. Try to help them understand the principle that matter takes up space, and cannot occupy the same space as other matter. Use a balance for measuring the mass of an object. Have bathroom scales available and have students weigh different objects in the room.) Estimate the amount of rocks required to overflow 2nd jar.
CLOSURE:
Today we have learned the difference between mass and
weight. Write the words mass and weight on your paper and give
the definitions to these words. Tell your partner the difference
between mass and weight. (Have students weigh 10 unifix cubes and record data in their journals. They will then break the cubes apart into groups of 2, 3, and 5. The students weigh each group, add the total weights and record in their journals. Each student will then write a paragraph explaining why the totals are equal.)
This is the
time this file has been accessed since 08/01/97.
The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.
