How are properties of matter measured?

Tools for Measuring Mass

          One property of matter that you can measure is mass.  Mass is the amount of matter an object has.  A balance measures mass.  The metric units for measuring mass are grams (g) and kilograms (kg).  One kilogram has 1,000 grams.

          An object’s mass is the same no matter where it is.  But the weight of an object can be different in different places.  Things have different weights on Earth than they do on the Moon.  A scale is used to measure weight.

Tools for Measuring Volume

          Another property of matter you can measure is volume.  Volume of an object is the amount of space that the object takes up.  You use a measuring cup or graduated cylinder to measure the volume of liquids.    

          The metric unit for measuring the volume of a liquid is the liter (L).  We can also measure small amounts of liquid in milliliters (mL).  One liter has 1,000 milliliters.

          Solids have volume, just as liquids do.  To measure the volume of a solid, fill a measuring cup half full of water.  Record the measurement.  Now, place a rock into the water.  The water rises because the rock has volume.  It takes up space.  Look at the water level now.  Record the new measurement.  Subtract the first measurement from the second.  The difference in the water levels is the volume of the rock.