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Measuring Scale

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Key Stage 2

Meaning

A measuring scale that measures mass.

A measuring scale is a piece of equipment used to measure the mass or the weight of an object.

Singular Noun: Measuring Scale
Plural Noun: Measuring Scales

About Measuring Scales

Some measuring scales measure weight in Newtons, stone, pounds and ounces.
Other measuring scales are used to measure the mass of objects in grams and kilograms.

Note to Teachers

The term 'weighing scale' causes confusion for students. The term measuring scale may support students better in understanding the concepts of mass and weight.
Students are frequently confused by the difference between mass and weight. This is in part due to the terms being used interchangeably during KS1 maths. It is also due to grams and kilograms being falsely referred to as weight in common parlance. The conceptual difference that mass is 'the amount of stuff in an object' and weight is 'the amount of force pulling an object down' should not be too complicated for a student. However, breaking the habit of using the words interchangeably proves challenging. Teachers should do their best to say 'mass' whenever they are talking about grams or kilograms and say Newtons, stone, pounds or ounces when talking about weight. A useful rule is to remember than on Earth 1kg weighs roughly 10 Newtons. This gives an easy conversion when you want to talk about weight instead of mass. This is different in space where; on the moon 1kg weighs 1.6 Newtons and on Jupiter 1kg weighs 25 Newtons.

Key Stage 3

Meaning

A measuring scale is a piece of equipment used to measure the mass or the weight of an object.

About Measuring Scales

Some measuring scales measure weight in Newtons, stone, pounds and ounces. These are called weighing scales.
Other measuring scales are used to measure the mass of objects in grams and kilograms. These may be digital (referred to as an electronic balance) or analogue (with a dial).
BalanceOld.png
MeasuringScale.png
Scale.png
The original scale was called a 'balance' and used known weights or masses to compare to other objects by balancing them. An analogue measuring scale which measures mass. A digital measuring scale which is called an electronic balance.

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A measuring scale is a piece of equipment used to measure the mass or the weight of an object.

About Measuring Scales

Some measuring scales measure weight in Newtons, stone, pounds and ounces. These are called weighing scales.
Other measuring scales are used to measure the mass of objects in grams and kilograms. These may be digital (referred to as an electronic balance) or analogue (with a dial).
To get an accurate reading from a measuring scale:
  • Place the measuring scale on a flat level surface.
  • Calibrate the measuring scale with a known mass or weight. Make sure it reads zero when there is nothing on the scale.
BalanceOld.png
MeasuringScale.png
Scale.png
The original scale was called a 'balance' and used known weights or masses to compare to other objects by balancing them. An analogue measuring scale which measures mass. A digital measuring scale which is called an electronic balance.