Measuring Mass with a Balance Scale

MatholiaChannel

This educational video provides a clear, step-by-step demonstration of how to measure mass in grams using a pan balance scale. Through five distinct examples, students observe how to determine the mass of various everyday objects—noodles, a soda can, cookies, a toy car, and a spinning top—by comparing them against standard gram weights. The video visually illustrates three key states of a balance scale: balanced (level), tipped down (heavier), and tipped up (lighter). The content introduces foundational measurement concepts, specifically the use of standard units (grams) and the additive nature of mass measurement. In scenes where the scale is level, students see how summing the values of multiple weights (e.g., 50g + 5g) equals the total mass of the object. In scenes where the scale is unbalanced, the video teaches the concepts of inequality comparisons, using language like "heavier than" and "lighter than" to describe the relationship between the object and the weights. This resource is highly valuable for early elementary math and science classrooms introducing measurement and data. It helps students visualize the abstract concept of mass and provides concrete practice with mental addition strategies. Teachers can use this video to model how to read a scale before having students engage in hands-on measurement activities, or as a practice tool for interpreting visual data and solving simple addition problems related to measurement.