Measuring Mass with a Triple Beam Balance

• Science
• 5th Grade

Measuring Mass with a Triple Beam Balance

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to measure the mass of different objects in grams using a triple beam balance.

Explain to the students the main objective of the lesson and what they will be able to do by the end.

What do you already know about measuring mass?

Classifying Objects

In this activity, you will be given a set of objects and asked to classify them based on their physical properties: Mass, Magnetism, Solubility, Density, Conductivity, and States of Matter.

1. Spin the wheel.
2. Collaborate and make an educated guess to classify each item based on the property of matter selected.
   

Engage students in a hands-on activity where they can practice classifying objects based on their physical properties. Provide a variety of objects with different physical properties for them to sort.

Labels	Mass	Magnetism	Solubility	Density	Conductivity	States of matter
Cork stopper- cork					E- T-
Lego-plastic					E- T-
Nail- iron					E- T-
Donut Ring- Rubber					E- T-
Dish Sponge- sponge					E- T-
Packaging- styrofoam					E- T-
Stick- wood					E- T-
Sugar Cube- sugar					E- T-

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What is mass?

Mass is the amount of matter an object contains.

Introduce the concept of mass and its definition to the students.

What is mass?

1. The amount of matter an object contains.
2. The size of an object.
3. The weight of an object.
4. The color of an object.

Triple Beam Balance

A triple beam balance is a tool used to measure the mass of objects. It has three beams with sliding weights.

Explain what a triple beam balance is and how it is used to measure mass.

What does a sliding weight on a triple beam balance do?

1. Checks the temperature of objects
2. Measures the length of objects
3. Calculates the volume of objects
4. Adjusts the balance to determine the mass

How many beams does a triple beam balance have?

1. Two
2. Five
3. Three
4. Four

What is a triple beam balance used for?

1. Measuring the temperature of objects
2. Measuring the length of objects
3. Measuring the mass of objects
4. Measuring the volume of objects

Zeroing the Balance

Before measuring an object, the balance needs to be zeroed. Move all the sliding weights to the left until the pointer is at zero.

Demonstrate how to zero the balance before taking measurements.

Where should the sliding weights be moved to zero the balance?

1. To the center
2. To any side
3. To the left
4. To the right

What needs to be done before measuring an object?

1. Adjusting the weights
2. Resetting the pointer
3. Calibrating the scale
4. Zeroing the balance

Placing the Object

Carefully place the object on the pan of the triple beam balance, making sure it is centered.

Explain the proper technique for placing an object on the balance.

Balancing the Beams

Start by sliding the largest weight on the beam until the pointer drops below zero. Move it back slightly until the pointer is just above zero.

Guide the students on how to balance the beams using the sliding weights.

Adding Smaller Weights

Continue adding smaller weights one by one until the pointer is perfectly balanced at zero.

Explain the process of adding smaller weights to achieve balance.

Reading the Mass

Read the mass by adding up the values on each beam. The mass is the sum of the values shown on the beams.

Teach the students how to read and interpret the mass measurements on the triple beam balance.

How do you read the mass?

1. By dividing the values on each beam
2. By adding up the values on each beam
3. By multiplying the values on each beam
4. By subtracting the values on each beam

Practice Time!

Now it's time to practice! Measure the mass of eight different objects using the triple beam balance.  Record your data on the next slide under the MASS column.  Leave the other columns blank.

Engage students in a hands-on activity where they can apply their knowledge and practice measuring mass.

Items	Mass- grams
Cork stopper- cork
Lego-plastic
Nail- iron
Donut Ring- Rubber
Dish Sponge- sponge
Packaging- styrofoam
Stick- wood
Sugar Cube- sugar
Penny- cooper
Cotton ball- cotton

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What unit is used to measure mass?

1. Meters
2. Liters
3. Grams
4. Seconds

What is the tool used to measure the mass of different objects in grams?

1. Thermometer
2. Triple beam balance
3. Ruler
4. Graduated cylinder

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson that can help your design team with The Cooler Project.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 ideas your design team has brainstormed for The Cooler Project using today's mass lab data.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you don't understand yet about classifying mass.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.