Lesson 9 of 12 · Energy Transfer
Experiment⭐ 30 XP⚡ Spark LabWeight Is a Force, Mass Is Not
Energy Transfer.
🎯 Your mission
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
⚡ The twist
Energy never disappears — it just hides somewhere else.
Mind = Blown
⚡ Static electricity is the same physics as lightning, just smaller.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: which will move faster, and why?
What You'll Learn
Mass is the amount of matter and is measured in kilograms. Weight is the pull of gravity on that mass and is measured in newtons. On Earth every kilogram weighs about 10 N; on the Moon it weighs less than 2 N.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- newton meter
- slotted masses
- clamp stand
- graph paper
Safety First
- Weight the base of the clamp stand and keep feet clear beneath hanging masses.
Steps
Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.
Hang five known masses from a newton meter and record the reading for each. Plot weight against mass, find the gradient, and use it to predict the weight of a 2.5 kg object.
Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.
Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2A 3 kg bag on Earth weighs about:
Where you see this in real life
This is why airplanes can fly and why rockets reach space.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
This week, find one thing in your house that turns one kind of energy into another.
For the dinner table
“Show me something at home that uses this kind of energy.”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Ready?
Weight Is a Force, Mass Is Not
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
Full screen — no distractions
Checkout complete lesson on Energy Transfer for 6th Grade
Get the full Energy Transfer track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.