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Heavy and light

Comparing two things by weight using holding and balance observations.

Paper packet. Every task here also exists on screen, where it is checked automatically; answers written on paper are not assessed by Nydus. When you are back at a device, enter your answers there.

1. What you will learn

Today we compare weight and use a balance to check a guess about heavier and lighter.

2. Weight words

TermWhat it means
HeavierHaving more weight than another object.
LighterHaving less weight than another object.

3. Feel, then check

Choose two small objects that are safe to hold. Feel one in each hand. Which seems heavier? Swap hands and check. Your guess can be wrong, especially when weights are close. An adult can help you use an equal-arm balance that starts level with empty pans. Wait until it stops moving before reading it.

Another way: picture

Balance trials: blue block lower left, yellow ball higher right; yellow ball higher left, green block lower right. Blocks look smaller than balls.
Balance trials: blue block lower left, yellow ball higher right; yellow ball higher left, green block lower right. Blocks look smaller than balls.

Find the lower pan in each separate trial.

4. Size can trick us

On this balance, the heavier side settles lower. The lighter side rises. Level pans show equal weight within what the balance can detect. A big hollow object can be lighter than a small solid object. We need a fair comparison, not a guess from color, size or which side holds it.

5. Parcel play

Compare two small pretend parcels. Predict, test, then describe the result. Change one parcel's contents and test again. Ask an adult for help with the balance; never lift something that feels too heavy.

6. First balance

  1. Trials
    Trials

    Find the lower first pan.

    Blue block side.

    It pulls down more.

  2. Compare the objects.

    Blue block heavier.

    The larger ball is higher.

7. Second balance

  1. Trials
    Trials

    Find the higher second pan.

    Yellow ball side.

    This side rises.

  2. Your turn: work this step out. Its working is at the end of the packet.

    Name the comparison.

8. Guided practice

An adult tests pairs on a balanced, equal-arm scale. Match each observation to the heavier object.

StoneBook
Stone pan lower than sponge pan
Book pan lower than scarf pan

Audio transcript: None

9. Guided practice

Now match each observed comparison to the LIGHTER object.

RibbonSock
Ribbon pan higher than shell pan
Sock pan higher than toy car pan

Audio transcript: None

10. Practice

Match each set of balance results to the heaviest object in that set.

Red bagTin
Red bag heavier than white bag and black bag
Tin heavier than cup and lid

Audio transcript: None

11. Practice

A small clay ball pulls its pan below a large empty box. Which is heavier?

Audio transcript: None

12. Somewhere new

A toy delivery cart needs the heavier object from EACH trial. Mark one object on each balance.

This task has no paper form; do it on a device.

Audio transcript: None

13. Lesson test

Lesson test: one question per skill, one attempt each, no hints. Your answers are checked when you submit.

14. Test question

Mark the lighter object in EACH pictured trial.

This task has no paper form; do it on a device.

Audio transcript: None

15. What you can do now

Explain why a larger object could be lighter and show how you would check safely.

Working for the steps left to you

7. Second balance, step 2

Yellow ball lighter.

The green block pulls down more.