Video Transcript
Nonstandard Units of Mass
In this video, we will learn how to
measure weight using nonstandard units. To measure an object’s mass or
weight, we use measuring scales. These are a special type of scale
called balancing scales. These scales are being used to
measure a toy car. The toy car weighs three cubes. We know this because three cubes
have been placed on the scales to balance them. If we take the three bricks away,
the scales will no longer be balanced. So, the toy car weighs three
blocks.
We could weigh the toy car using a
different unit of measurement. We could balance the scales using a
book. So, we could also say that the car
weighs the same as one book. Let’s try some practice
questions.
Choose the balanced weights from
the following figures.
We’re shown two different sets of
scales. We’re being asked to choose the set
which are balanced. We can work out the answer in two
ways. We can tell just by looking at
these scales that they’re balanced. And we can check by counting the
number of blocks on each side of the scales. Each side of the scales have three
blocks. So, each side of the scale has an
equal number of blocks. This is why the scales are
balanced. Three blocks weigh the same as
three blocks. The weight on each side of the
scales is equal. So, these are the balanced
weights.
On the first set of scales, we can
see that this side is the heaviest. Three blocks weigh more than two
blocks. To make these scales balanced, we
would have to add one more block to this side of the scales.
Measure the mass of the toy
truck. The mass of the toy truck is nine
blocks. The mass of the toy truck is six
blocks.
In this question, we’re being asked
to find the mass of the toy truck. We’ve been given two possible
answers; does the truck weigh nine blocks or six? To answer this question, we need to
count how many blocks were used to balance the scales. One, two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine. The mass of the toy truck is nine
blocks.
Fill in the blank. The mass of the ball equals what
pencils.
In this question, we need to work
out how many pencils were used to balance the scales. How many pencils can you count? There are six. The mass of the ball equals six
pencils.
What have we learned in this
video? We’ve learned how to measure mass
or weight using nonstandard units such as blocks or pencils.
