Balance Scale Lab
Pick an object for each side of the scale and predict which one is heavier. Watch the scale tip, record your result, and find out what really makes one object heavier than another.
Guided Experiment: What Makes Things Heavy Investigation
Do you think bigger objects are always heavier than smaller objects? Write your prediction. Think about a small metal coin and a big plastic ball.
Write your hypothesis in the Lab Report panel, then click Next.
Pick Two Objects
Left side
Right side
Your Prediction
Balance Scale
Controls
Reference Guide
What Weight Means
Weight tells us how heavy an object is. A heavy object pulls down harder than a light one. That is why it takes more work to lift a big rock than a small feather.
Light. Pulls down a little. Easy to lift.
In this lab, each object has a weight from 1 to 8. The bigger the number, the heavier the object.
How a Balance Scale Works
A balance scale has two pans that hang from a beam. The heavier side tips down. The lighter side tips up. When both sides weigh the same, the beam stays flat.
Watching the scale helps you see the difference in weight without having to lift anything yourself.
Bigger Is Not Always Heavier
Size can trick you. A big balloon is very light. A small metal coin is heavy for its size. It is the material inside an object, not just how big it looks, that decides how heavy it is.
Scientists say dense materials, like metal or stone, are heavy for their size. Fluffy materials, like cotton or foam, are light for their size.
How to Investigate
Scientists make a guess, then check it. Your guess is called a prediction. After the scale tips, compare your prediction to the actual result.
After five or more tries, look for patterns. Were bigger objects always heavier? What surprised you?