Triple Beam Balance Miss Sauer’s 7 th Grade Science

Triple Beam Balance A triple beam balance in used to determine mass. Units: grams (g)

Mass Mass is a measurement of how much matter is in an object.

What is the difference between mass and weight? Weight is different from mass. Weight is the measure of the force of gravity on an object. Mass is a measurement of how much matter is in an object. The mass of an object will never change, but the weight of an item can change based on its location. For example, you may weigh 100 pounds on Earth, but in outer space you would be weightless. However, you will always have the same mass on Earth as you have in outer space.

What is the difference between mass and weight? Mass is the amount (quantity) of matter. Mass is a measure of inertia. Mass is universal; it does NOT depend on location. Weight is the force caused by gravity acting on a mass. Weight is local; it depends on location. Weight = mass x gravity

Triple Beam Balance A triple beam balance has three riders: Tens Rider (in the back) Hundreds Rider (in the middle) Ones Rider (in the front)

Calibrating the Triple Beam Balance Check to make sure the balance pan is clean. Wipe and clean it if necessary. Move all weights to the left of the balance (next to the weigh pan). Look to see if the pointer line is perfectly in line with the mark on the post. This indicates whether the balance is zeroed / calibrated. If the lines do not meet, adjust the tare knob, which is located underneath the weigh pan, by turning it a little and observing its effect. You should be able to zero / calibrate the balance by repeating this procedure.

Massing Objects on the Triple Beam Balance Make sure the balance is zeroed / calibrated and the weigh pan is clean. Place an object on the weigh pan. Move the weights on the beams until the pointer just balances at the white mark on the post. Do this by first moving the largest (the hundreds) rider across the beam until the pointer drops below the 0 line. Then move this rider back one notch. The rider must be in one of the notches on the beam. Follow this same procedure for the tens rider, then the ones rider, until the pointer swings to the zero mark. To record the mass, add the masses shown on each rider. Record your answer to the nearest hundredth (0.01 grams). Include the SI units.

Massing Objects on the Triple Beam Balance TIP: You may want to use a pencil’s / pen’s tip to move the ones rider. TIP: If there is wind, this will impact the accuracy of your readings.

Closure Questions Explain the procedure of calibrating / zeroing a triple beam balance to a new student. Explain the procedure of massing an object to a new student. Explain mass to a new student. Explain the difference between mass and weight to a new student.