Notes: Measuring Matter
MASS
MATTER: (stuff) consists of a combination
of particles called atoms. Almost
everything is matter!
MASS: a measure of the amount of matter
(stuff) an object is made of.
WEIGHT: a measure of the PULL OF
GRAVITY on a MASS.
Mass
vs.
Weight
Measured using a balance.
Measured using a scale.
Units = grams
(g) suffix.
Units = Newtons (N), pounds, ounces.
Amount of matter (stuff).
Pull of gravity on a mass.
Weight is a FORCE!
Not affected by gravity.
Changes when gravity
changes.
Can only change by adding removing matter.
Changes when mass changes
and/or gravity changes.
Same on the Moon, Jupiter and every place else. 4.5x greater on Jupiter
6x less on the Moon.
Massing Practice
I can use a balance to find the mass of an unknown object
Object
Comp
Book Steel Bolt
Oak Block
Cork
Penny
Graduated
Cylinder
50 ml
Water
Index Card
Brass Pipe
Steel Nut
Description
mg
g
kg
Measuring Mass
We will be using triple-beam balances
to find the mass of various objects.
The objects are placed on the scale and
then you move the weights on the beams
until you get the lines on the right-side of
the scale to match up.
Once you have balanced the scale, you add up
the amounts on each beam to find the total mass.
What would be the mass of the object measured
in the picture?
_______ + ______ + _______ = ________ g
Top Image: http://www.southwestscales.com/Ohaus_Triple_Beam_750-SO.jpg
Bottom Image: http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/biology/units/laboratory/graphics/triplebeambalance.jpg
Measuring Mass – Triple-Beam Balance
1st – Place the film canister on the scale.
2nd – Slide the large weight to the right until the arm drops below the
line. Move the rider back one groove. Make sure it “locks” into place.
3rd – Repeat this process with the top weight. When
the arm moves below the line, back it up one groove.
4th – Slide the small
weight on the front
beam until the lines
match up.
5th – Add the amounts on each beam to find the total mass to the nearest tenth of a
gram.
Click here to try an online activity.
•  VOLUME: (space) - the amount of space
an object takes up (occupies) .
§ Units: anything with the suffix “liter” or
any linear measurement cubed. There are
also English units such as cups, pints,
quarts, gallons etc.
§ 1 milliliter = 1 centimeter cubed (cm3, cc)
§ 1 cm3 H2O = 1 ml H2O = 1 gram H2O
MEASURING VOLUME: §  RULER – used to measure regular shaped objects (i.e.
cubes, cylinders, prisms etc.)
§  GRADUATED CYLINDER –
used to measure liquids. ***Read the volume measure at
the bottom of the meniscus.
§  DISPLACEMENT METHOD -
Use for irregular shaped objects.
*** Object must be fully submerged!
Volume Practice
I can find the volume or regular and irregular shaped objects.
Regular Shaped Objects (LxWxH)
Object
Description
Ant Cube
L=
W=
H=
Small Block
L=
W=
H=
Gray block
L=
W=
H=
Wilson Art
Tile
L=
W=
H=
cm3
Volume Practice
I can find the volume or regular and irregular shaped objects.
Object
Irregular Shaped Objects
(Displacement)
Description
ml
DENSITY: The measure of the amount of matter
(stuff) in a measured amount of volume (space). §  Units: any UNIT OF mass “per” unit OF
volume. §  Examples: g/ml
kg/m3
kg/L g/cm3
g/cc g/L
§  Calculating density: § Find the mass and volume of the object.
§ Calculate:
m
D=
V
Which is more dense? Explain your answer.
Densities of common substances:
Water @ room temp
Ice @ 0 degrees Celsius
Gold
Iron
Aluminum
Wood
Helium
Air (Dry @ 1 atmosphere)
= 1.00 g/ml
= 0.917 g/ cm3
= 19.3 g/ cm3
= 7.87 g/cm3
= 2.7 g/ cm3
= 0.11 – 1.33 g/cm3
= 0.0001786 g/ cm3
= 0.00119 g/ cm3
PRACTICE PROBLEMS: Solve using the “4 Step Method”
4 STEP METHOD:
1. List the knowns and unknowns.
2. List the equation/s that will be
used to solve the problem.
3. “Plug and Chug” – solve the
problem.
4. The ANSWER – with correct units
Problem #1:
Find the density of a block that has a volume
of 25 cc and a mass of 200 grams.
Problem #2:
A block of material has a length and width of
2 cm and a height of 5 cm. The block has a
mass of 5 grams. What is the density of the
block?
Lab - Finding Density Item
Glue Stick
Clothespin
Wilsonart
Oak
Pine (red)
Pine (blue)
Copper Penny
Steel Bolt
Cork
Brass Pipe
Steel Tube
Marble
Description
Mass
Volume
Density
Lab - Finding Density Item
Candle
Hot Glue
Wilsonart
Oak
Pine (red)
Pine (blue)
PVC
Copper
Steel Bolt
Cork
Brass
Steel Tube
Description
Mass
Volume
Density