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Dunes Learning Center is very excited to be a part of your eLearning experience this fall! We encourage you to navigate this website, and explore the ways your current lessons connect to nature---even while online.

Everything on earth has weight and takes up space, but how do we measure that?

We can use mass and volume to help measure this!

What is Mass?

Mass: A measure of how much matter is in an object.

We can think of mass as how many little pieces make up the object, like toy bricks making a wall.

But what even is matter?

Matter is the atoms (protons, neutrons, and electrons with a nucleus) that make up everything.

Matter can be arranged differently to create solids, liquids, or gases.

Are Mass and Weight the Same?

Mass is often associated with weight, but is different because weight relies on gravity.

The Moon has less gravity than Earth. If you weighed 100 pounds on Earth, you would only be 16 pounds on the Moon!

You will be made up of the same matter, wherever you are!

On Earth

On an airplane

Bottom of the sea

On another planet

What is Volume?

Volume: A measure of the amount of space taken up by an object.

A simple example of volume is liquid in a container. Both glasses have the same volume of water (takes up the same amount of space) but it appears different due to the shape container.

Does a large mass mean a large volume?

Not always! Looks can trick you.

In the drawing, there is a 1 kg of feathers and 1 kg of lead. They have the same mass, but the feathers take up much more space making its volume bigger.

Mass: Both 1 kg Volume: Feathers much bigger

How do we measure mass?

Instruments and Tools

Balance

Compares the mass of two objects

Spring Scale

Uses tension of the spring to determine the mass

Digital Scale

Mass of an object bends the internal strain gauge load cell

Common Units

Pounds

Pound (lb) is common unit in United States

LB comes from the Latin word for "weight"

= 0.45 kg

Kilograms

Kilograms (kg) is the standard, scientific unit of measurement

Most countries use kilograms

=1,000g

Solar Mass

Solar Mass (M_☉)is the unit used in comparing astronomical masses

1 is equal to the mass of the Sun

≈1.99×10³⁰ kg

How do we measure volume?

Instruments and Tools

Ruler

Measure and calculate the volume of solids, of a regular shape

Burette

Measures volume of a liquid you are adding to a mixture

Graduated Cylinder

Measures liquids or irregularly-shaped solids

Can be adjusted to measure volume of solids, by looking at displacement (movement out of the way) of the liquid when you insert a solid

Common Units

Milliliters (mL)

Mainly used for liquids

Scientific unit of measurement

Fluid Ounce (FL OZ)

Mainly used for liquids

Common unit in United States

Centimeters Cubed (cm3)

Used for liquids and solids

Often used in hospitals for giving medicines

Is equal to 1mL

You can learn the volume of a shape using the right formula!

Let’s take a look at some cool animals!

These animals spend their life on land and in the water. They depend on the ability to move quickly on land and in the water to avoid predators and capture prey.

Their relationship of mass and volume is important to their survival!

The average mass of a frog is 56 g

About the mass of a tennis ball!

The average mass of a beaver is 18,900 g

About the mass of a 5 gallon jug of water!

The average mass of a crawfish is 85 g

About the mass of a deck of cards!

The average mass of a minnow is 1 g

About the mass of a jelly bean!

The animals above have the same mass as these objects, but they do NOT take up the same amount of space (different volumes)!!!

They are composed of different substances and that matter is arranged differently. These two important differences allows for these animals to navigate in and out of the water avoiding predators and finding food. An example is below.

Things to know!

Everything on earth has mass and volume.

Mass

- Mass is how much matter is in an object.
- Mass is measured using a balance or scale.
- Mass is commonly reported in kg or lbs.

Volume

- Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object
- Volume is measured and calculated using graduate cylinders, burets, and rulers.
- Volume is commonly reported in mL or cm3.

Quiz Time

After the quiz there's fun things to continue this lesson outside and cool YouTube videos!

Check out fun stuff outside!

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