Mass Teaching Resources
Teach students how to measure mass or calculate the mass of an object and more with games, worksheets and more teacher-created resources for your classroom!
Aligned with Australian maths standards, each printable and digital teacher resource in this collection has undergone careful review by our maths teachers to ensure it's ready to be added to a mass lesson plan.
Is this your first year teaching kids how to find the mass of an obect? Or maybe you're just looking for fresh ways to engage your students on the topic? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition of mass in physics, the formula for calculating mass and more!
What Is Mass? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Do you need a mass definition to start your lesson? This physics can be difficult for kids to understand due to its intangible nature. While we can measure the length or width of an object with a ruler, finding mass means dealing with an invisible concept.
So how do you explain it? Here's a definition that our teacher team likes to use to describe mass for our own students:
Mass is a measurement of how much matter an object is made of.
Mass vs. Weight — What's the Difference?
The definition above builds off students' study of matter in science classes and what they've learned about 'heavy' and 'light' objects and the differences between them both.
But as we've already noted, mass can be confusing for kids, and one of the most common points of confusion comes down to weight. After all, if something is heavy, it has more mass than a light object, but it also has more weight.
So, are mass and weight the same thing? No! Let's break down the differences:
Mass |
Weight |
| A measurement of the amount of matter in an object | A measurement of the force exerted on an object due to gravity |
| Doesn't change even when the amount of gravitational force on the object changes | Changes depending on the amount of gravitational force on the object |
What Is Mass Measured In? A Look at Units of Mass
The most common units for mass are kilograms (abbreviated kg) and grams (abbreviated g).
This represents another difference between calculating the mass of an object and measuring its weight! Weight is typically measured in pounds, ounces and tonnes.
How to Find Mass — 4 Methods
We've covered what mass is and how it's measured. Now it's time to find the mass of different objects!
There are four common methods that can be used to calculate mass, and each one has its own applications. Read on for a breakdown of each one, including a formula that students can use to measure mass.
1. Measuring Mass With a Balance Scale
The simplest way to measure the mass of an object is to use a balance scale. Students can place the object on the scale and read the result.
Pretty simple, huh?
2. Using a Formula to Find Mass
What if the object is too large to place on a scale, or you don't have the object ... or a scale? Using a formula to find the mass of an object is another option in these situations!
There are two mass formulas that are typically used to calculate mass:
Density Formula
If you know the density (mass per unit volume) of a material and the volume of the object, you can use the following formula:
Mass=Density×VolumeMass=Density×Volume
Weight Formula
Although weight and mass are different, here on Earth these two measurements are in proportion to one another. Because of this, you can make use of the weight formula to solve for mass.
Weight=Mass×Acceleration due to GravityWeight=Mass×Acceleration due to Gravity.
Note: This formula only works when the object is in a gravitational field!
3. Measuring Mass With the Water Displacement Method
Do you have an irregularly shaped object? The simplest way to calculate its mass is to use the water displacement method.
- Submerge the object in water.
- Calculate the volume of water displaced. This is equal to the volume of the object.
- Calculate the mass using the density formula mentioned earlier.
4. Using a Spring Scale to Calculate Mass
The final method for finding the mass of an object is to use a spring scale. This is typically a method taught in secondary school.
The spring scale is used to measure the force exerted by an object due to gravity, with students employing Newton's second law to find the mass of a particular object.
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Which Is Heavier? – Interactive PowerPoint
An interactive PowerPoint quiz that asks students to compare the mass of various everyday objects.
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Informal Mass Choose and Use Cut and Sort
Learn the concept of informal units of measurement for mass with this choose and use worksheet.
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Weighing Scales Templates
A variety of weighing scales templates for students to practise reading scales to measure grams and kilograms.
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Understanding Mass True or False Sorting Activity
Practise the understanding of mass as a measurement with this printable mass sorting activity.
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Heavier or Lighter? Sorting Activity
Sort cards into heavier and lighter headings after looking at the balance scales on each card with this mass sorting activity.
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Heavy vs. Light Soccer Match Board Game
Explore comparing the mass of objects with this fun and engaging weight game board for the classroom.
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Heavy vs. Light Roll and Colour Activity
Explore items and decide which is heaviest and lightest in this fun and engaging roll and colour activity.
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Heavy vs. Light Digital Activity
Explore the mass of items and compare and contrast the heaviest and lightest with this set of 25 digital task cards.
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Weighing Scales Templates – Fish Scales
An assortment of weighing scales templates to give students practice at reading scales to measure mass.
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Heavier or Lighter Task Cards
Compare and contrast pairs of objects and encourage students to respond to questions featured on this set of task cards.
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Which Is Heavier? – Interactive Game
Have your students practise identifying heavier or lighter objects with an engaging “Which is Heavier" interactive game.
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Assessment - Measuring Mass with Informal Units
A 30 minute assessment in which students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of mass.
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Measuring Mass with Informal Units Unit Plan
This Mathematics unit addresses the concept of measuring, comparing and ordering mass using informal units.
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Introduction to Mass
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the concept of mass by comparing and ordering objects.
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Revision of Mass
A 60 minute lesson in which students will revise and consolidate the concept of mass.
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Comparing and Ordering Mass
A 60 minute lesson in which students will develop the concept of mass by comparing and ordering the masses of objects.
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Mass Investigation - How Heavy Are the Objects in Your Classroom?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will apply knowledge and understanding of mass to a real-world context.
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Using Balance Scales
A 60 minute lesson in which students will create a set of balance scales for measuring and comparing the masses of objects.