Comparing Weights and Volumes
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What you will learn
- 1Decide which object is heavier or lighter by thinking about a balance scale
- 2Decide which container holds more or holds less liquid
- 3Use the words heavier, lighter, holds more, and holds less correctly
- 4Know the everyday weight units (ounces, pounds, grams, kilograms) and volume units (cups, quarts, gallons, milliliters, liters)
Mini Lesson
Some things are heavy and some things are light. Some containers hold a lot of water and some hold only a little. We can compare and use special words to describe what we find!
Comparing weight
- When one object pushes down harder, it is heavier.
- When one object pushes down less, it is lighter.
- A balance scale tips down on the heavier side.
- Example: A rock is heavier than a feather. A feather is lighter than a rock.
Weight units we use every day
- US customary (used in the United States): ounces (oz) for very light things, and pounds (lb) for heavier things. 16 oz = 1 lb.
- Metric (used in most other countries and in science): grams (g) for very light things, and kilograms (kg) for heavier things. 1000 g = 1 kg.
- A slice of cheese: about 1 oz (about 30 g). An apple: about 5 oz (about 150 g). A full backpack: about 5 lb (about 2 kg).
Comparing volume
- Volume means how much a container can hold.
- A big bucket holds more water than a small cup.
- A small cup holds less water than a big bucket.
- Look at the size of the opening and the height — bigger usually holds more.
Volume units we use every day
- US customary: cups, quarts (qt), and gallons (gal). 4 cups = 1 quart. 4 quarts = 1 gallon.
- Metric: milliliters (mL) and liters (L). 1000 mL = 1 L.
- A drinking glass: about 1 cup (about 240 mL). A carton of milk: about 1 quart (about 1 L). A bathtub: about 40 gallons (about 150 L).
Helpful words to use
- Weight: heavier than, lighter than, the same weight as
- Volume: holds more, holds less, holds the same amount
Words to know
Weight
How heavy or light something is
e.g. A book has more weight than a feather.
Heavier
Pushes down with more weight than another object
e.g. A rock is heavier than a leaf.
Lighter
Pushes down with less weight than another object
e.g. A feather is lighter than a brick.
Volume
How much space a container can hold inside
e.g. The bucket has a big volume.
Balance scale
A tool that tips down on the heavier side
e.g. The balance scale showed the rock is heavier.
Pound (lb)
A US unit of weight, 16 ounces
e.g. A loaf of bread weighs about 1 pound.
Ounce (oz)
A small US unit of weight
e.g. A slice of cheese weighs about 1 ounce.
Kilogram (kg)
A metric unit of weight, 1000 grams
e.g. A bag of sugar weighs about 1 kilogram.
Cup
A US unit of volume for liquids
e.g. A small drinking glass holds about 1 cup.
Gallon (gal)
A large US unit of volume, 4 quarts
e.g. A milk jug holds 1 gallon.
Liter (L)
A metric unit of volume, 1000 milliliters
e.g. A water bottle often holds 1 liter.
Ask yourself: "Which one pushes down more on a balance scale? Which container has more space inside?"
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