Mass: Grams and Kilograms
Year 3 students measure and compare the mass of objects using grams and kilograms, and understand the relationship between these units.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Mass is how heavy an object is and is measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg)
1 kilogram equals 1000 grams, so kg is used for heavier objects
A balance scale compares masses; a kitchen scale shows mass in numbers
Estimating mass before measuring builds a sense of how heavy everyday objects are
Key Vocabulary
Mass
The amount of matter in an object, measured in grams or kilograms
Gram (g)
A small unit of mass; a paperclip has a mass of about 1 gram
Kilogram (kg)
A larger unit of mass equal to 1000 grams
Balance scale
A device that compares the mass of two objects by balancing them
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
How many grams are in 1 kilogram?
Question 2
A bag of sugar has a mass of 2 kg. How many grams is that?
Question 3
Which unit would be best for measuring the mass of a pencil?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Mass is how heavy an object is and is measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg)
- ●1 kilogram equals 1000 grams, so kg is used for heavier objects
- ●A balance scale compares masses; a kitchen scale shows mass in numbers
- ●Estimating mass before measuring builds a sense of how heavy everyday objects are