Hanging Around

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Learners investigate weight by building a spring scale. They observe and record how it responds to objects with different masses. This activity can be combined with other activities to create a larger lesson. Resource contains vocabulary definitions and suggestions for assessment, extensions, and scaling for different levels of learners.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • A mini slinky or other lightweight spring
  • A paper cup
  • 25 cm of string
  • Tape
  • Two rulers
  • A few books or another heavy object to hold one ruler down on a table or desk
  • 6 small objects with identical weights (i.e., pennies, marbles)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Mathematics
    • Algebra
      • Patterns
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data

Informal Categories

  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Heavner, Ben ; Schaefer Zarske, Malinda ; Carlson, Denise W

Source Collection

  • TeachEngineering

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Regents of the University of Colorado, 2004

Funding Sources:

  • Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
  • U.S. Department of Education
  • National Science Foundation, 0226322