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Measuring mass in grams

Part of MathsMeasuringYear 2

What are grams?

A gram is a standard unit of measurement. It is a word used to describe the mass of an object.

You record the mass of light objects in grams.

One gram is written like this:

1g

You can use scales to measure the mass of things in grams.

3 types of scales. One balance scale with an egg on the left-hand side and two weights 10 grams and 50 grams on the other. A digital scale with an egg on top, reading 60 grams. An analogue weighing scale with an egg on top, reading 60 grams.
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Quiz: Measuring in grams

Test out your knowledge of measuring mass in grams with this quiz, then read on to complete the page.

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Measuring mass using balance scales

One way to measure the mass of objects is to use balance scales.

A balance scale works by placing the object you want to weigh on one side and adding gram masses to the other side until the scales are level.

When scales are level one side is not higher up than the other side.

A level balance scale with an orange on one side and three weights marked 50g on the other side.

This orange has a mass of 150g.

Three 50g masses have been added to the balance scale to make it level.

Masses for weighing usually come as 1g, 5g, 10g, 20g or more.

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Measuring mass using scales

Another way of measuring the mass of an object is with a set of scales showing the mass on a dial with a pointer.

When you use these types of scales you need to make sure the arrow points to 0g before weighing your object.

The pointer shows the mass of the object on the scales.

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  1. An empty set of scales have a pointer pointing at 0 grams.

    When this set of scales has nothing on it the pointer points to 0g. What will happen if an object is placed onto the set of scales?

You would need a set of scales similar to the one below to weigh objects with a mass of up to 250g.

Can you see how this time the dial goes all the way up to 250g?

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  1. The measurements on a set of scales goes from 0 to 255 grams. The pointer on the scale points to 0 grams.

    This set of scales can be used to measure heavier objects, such as an apple. What could an apple's mass be?

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Measuring mass using digital scales

You can also use digital scales, which show the mass as a number on a screen.

To read digital scales, look at the number displayed - it tells you the mass of the object.

Here is how you would measure the mass of the apple on a set of digital scales.

An apple is on a digital scale. The display reads 225 grams.

Here are some objects that you might be able to find around the kitchen that can be measured in grams.

Look at how much they each weigh on the digital scales.

An image showing 3 objects on 3 different digital scales. Their displays show that the egg is 60g, the packet of raisins is 450g, and the spoon is 25g.
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Example 1

A level balance scale with a carrot and banana on one side and four weights marked 50 grams on the other side.

A carrot and a banana have a combined mass of 200g.

The carrot is 50g. What mass does the banana have?

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Example 2

A kitchen scale with 5 beads on top. The scale's pointer points to 20 grams.

5 beads have a mass of 20g in total.

What is the mass of 1 bead?

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Example 3

Two butter blocks, a digital scale with "25g" on the screen, and a boy thinking while looking at the butter.

Amir needs 55g of butter.

Look at the amount shown on the scales. How many more grams does he need?

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