Topic 3: Mass and Forces
Concepts:
- investigate the concepts of mass and weight and the differences between them.
- measure mass and forces.
- identify the units of mass and forces.
- evaluate the ability of structures to support a mass or weight
The joints have been upgraded so that they can handle more than 120,000 kg—the mass of the Shuttle!
Dates to Remember
Dec 10: Notes and definitions from pages 298-301.
Dec 11: Activity: Mass Mania (measuring mass and forces). NOTE: Tuesday lunch hour help for topic quiz
Dec 12: Topic 1 and 2 quiz.
Definitions
Mass: the measure of the amount of matter in an object. Mass never changes on earth or in space
Kilogram (kg): the standard measure of mass.
- 1 kg = 1000 g (grams)
- 1 mg (milligram) = 0.001 g
Triple Beam balance: an instrument to measure mass.
Force: a pushing or pulling stress
Newton (N): the standard measure of force.
Force meter (spring scale) an instrument to measure force.
Gravity: is the force of attraction all celestial bodies have upon objects at their surface.
Gravitational Force (weight): depends on the masses and the distance between them. The gravitational force is stronger when the objects are further apart.
