Heavy, Light & Balance!
Chapter 14: Measurement — Weight
Weight is something we feel before we measure! A big balloon is light. A small stone can be heavy. Let's learn to compare and measure weight!
The Surprising Box!
Riya is packing for a trip. She sees two boxes. 📦
"This big box looks heavy!" she says.
But when she lifts it... "It's so light!" It's full of pillows! 🪶
Then she tries the small box... "Wow, this is heavy!" It's full of books! 📚
Milo tilts his head. "Size doesn't tell you weight!"
Look at these two objects. Which one feels heavier? Click to choose!
⚠️ Remember: Big doesn't always mean heavy! A big balloon is lighter than a small stone. Always lift to feel!
When we're not sure, a balance scale shows us which is heavier!
🏪 At the shop, the grocer says:
"These potatoes weigh 2 kg"
💡 Remember: We use kilograms (kg) for things we can lift — fruits, vegetables, bags, books. For very heavy things like cars, we use tonnes!
Guess first! How heavy do you think this is? Then let's measure!
How heavy is the school bag?
Now we can compare using numbers! Which is heavier?
Which is heavier: the bag (5 kg) or the watermelon (3 kg)?
💡 Tip: The bigger number means heavier! 5 kg is heavier than 3 kg because 5 > 3.
Different situations need different tools! Which tool is best?
Questions & Answers
Heavy, light and balance
What does weight mean?
Weight tells you how heavy something is. You can feel it in your hands and you can measure it with a balance.
Does bigger always mean heavier?
No. A big cotton pillow is lighter than a small iron ball. Size and weight are different things.
How does a balance work?
Two pans hang from a beam. The heavier side goes down. If both sides match, the beam stays level.
What does balanced mean?
It means both sides weigh the same. Level pans mean equal weight.
What units do we use for weight?
Grams for light things and kilograms for heavy things. One kilogram is a thousand grams.
Why do we need units at all?
Because heavier than my shoe is not a useful answer. Units let two people compare without being in the same room.
Can two different things weigh the same?
Yes. A kilogram of feathers and a kilogram of sand weigh exactly the same. They just take up different space.
How can I practise at home?
Hold two objects, one in each hand, and guess which is heavier. Then check on a kitchen scale. Guessing then checking builds a good sense of weight.