Ch. 15: Using Tools to Measure Physical Properties

Vocabulary:physical property, meter stick, volume, graduated cylinder, mass, pan balance,

weight, scale, temperature, thermometer

Measuring Physical Properties

• A physical property is something you can detect with your senses or measure with a tool.

• Some examples of physical properties are:– Color Texture Mass– Smell Taste Density– Height Sounds Temperature– Weight Length Volume

Tools for Measuring Length and Distance

• Length and distance are how long, tall, or wide an object is.

• To measure a flat object, scientists and engineers usually use a ruler or meter stick, because it is rigid and easy to use.

• To measure an object that is not flat or very long, they will usually use a tape measure because it is flexible and longer.

Ruler

Meterstick

Tape Measure

Tools for Measuring Volume

Measuring Spoon

Graduated Cylinder Measuring Cup

• Volume is the amount of space an material takes up.

• Tiny amounts of volume can be measured with a measuring spoon.

• If there is a small amount of the material its volume can be measured with a graduated cylinder.

• Measuring cups are used to measure a larger volume of a material.

• On the sides of the measuring cup and the graduated cylinder are milliliter marks.

• When measuring volume, always put the tool at eye level and make sure that the liquid, gas, or solid goes all the way up to the line on the cylinder or cup, or the edge of the spoon.

Tools for Measuring Mass

• Mass is the amount of matter, or stuff, that makes up an object.

• Scientists and engineers use a pan balance to measure mass.

• A pan balance puts an object on one side an weights on the other to determine the correct mass of the object. Pan Balance

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Tools for Measuring Weight

Standard Scale Spring Scale

• Weight is the amount of pull gravity has on an object.

• Weight can be measured by using a scale.

Tools for Measuring Temperature

Thermometer

• Temperature measures how hot or cold something is.

• Temperature can be measured with a thermometer.

• Thermometers are usually glass tubes with red liquid in them.

• When the liquid gets warmer, it takes up more space and moves up the thermometer registering a higher temperature on the marks next to the liquid.

• To read a thermometer, read the number on the line next to the top of the liquid

Questions About Chapter 15

1. What tool would you use to measure the distance around a pumpkin?

2. What do you measure with a graduated cylinder?

3. What do you measure with a pan balance?

4. What tool would you use to measure weight?

5. Pick three tools. Tell how you would use them in everyday life.