Using a Platform scale
This interactive manipulative allows students to discover how different masses affect motion. Students balance a platform scale after different "people" named Greg each stand on the platform of a platform scale. Students move larger and smaller weights with a mouse to the right or left on a graduated bar. The bottom (larger) weight shows grams and the top(smaller) weight shows hundredths of a gram. The selected weight is shown along with hints to move higher or lower. When Greg's weight is found and the scale is balanced a plunger pushes him off the scale. The next Greg drops onto the scale, ready to be massed.
This is a very good interactive site that allows students to visualize how objects with different masses affect motion. It may be helpful to project the activity before the whole class to show students how to use the platform scale. Give students hands on opprotunities by providing balances for them to use in class to observe what happens when objects of different masses are placed on the balance. Math is integrated as the sum of the masses of the different people, "Greg," is determined. It also reinforces the use of appropriate units of measurement.
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