Science Tools: Ruler, Thermometer, Balance, and Hand Lens
Choosing and using tools to measure and observe
Science Tools: Ruler, Thermometer, Balance, and Hand Lens
Choosing and using tools to measure and observe
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
Mia wants to find out how long a pencil is. Which science tool should she use?
Think about the tool that has inches or centimeters marked on it.
Mia should use a ruler because a ruler measures length. - 2
A class wants to know how warm the classroom air is. Which science tool should they use?
They should use a thermometer because a thermometer measures temperature. - 3
Leo wants to compare the mass of two rocks. Which science tool should he use?
Mass tells how much matter is in an object.
Leo should use a balance because a balance compares the mass of objects. - 4
A student wants to look closely at the tiny lines on a leaf. Which science tool should the student use?
The student should use a hand lens because a hand lens makes small details look larger. - 5
Draw a line to match each tool with what it measures or helps you observe: ruler, thermometer, balance, hand lens. Choices: temperature, length, tiny details, mass.
Think about what each tool helps a scientist find out.
A ruler matches with length, a thermometer matches with temperature, a balance matches with mass, and a hand lens matches with tiny details. - 6
Nora measures a crayon with a ruler. One end is at 0 centimeters and the other end is at 9 centimeters. How long is the crayon?
The crayon is 9 centimeters long because it starts at 0 and ends at 9 centimeters. - 7
A thermometer reads 30°C outside and 20°C inside. Which place is warmer?
A larger temperature number means it is warmer.
Outside is warmer because 30°C is greater than 20°C. - 8
A balance has an apple on one side and a banana on the other side. The apple side goes down. Which object has more mass?
On a balance, the side that drops lower has more mass.
The apple has more mass because the heavier side of a balance goes down. - 9
Which tool would help you observe the legs of an ant more clearly: a ruler, thermometer, balance, or hand lens?
A hand lens would help you observe the legs of an ant more clearly because it makes small things look bigger. - 10
Sam says, 'I can use a thermometer to find the length of my desk.' Is Sam correct? Explain your answer.
Choose the tool that measures how long something is.
Sam is not correct. A thermometer measures temperature, so Sam should use a ruler to find the length of the desk. - 11
A plant grew from 6 centimeters tall to 10 centimeters tall. Which tool could measure the plant's height, and how much did it grow?
A ruler could measure the plant's height. The plant grew 4 centimeters because 10 minus 6 equals 4. - 12
You want to observe grains of sand and then compare the mass of two piles of sand. Which two tools should you use?
One tool helps you see details, and one tool helps you compare mass.
You should use a hand lens to observe the grains of sand and a balance to compare the mass of the two piles. - 13
Look at the picture of four science tools. Write the name of each tool and one job it does.
Use the tool names in the question to help you label them.
The ruler measures length, the thermometer measures temperature, the balance compares mass, and the hand lens helps observe small details.