Introduction: Remote Learning Balance Scale and Graduated Cylinder
Shown above are some basic tools of a scientist such as a balance scale and graduated cylinder. These are great since we are no longer in school at the moment so why not make your own. I planed to make these tools to find out the mass and volume for each object in science class. Here are some steps for each tool. Follow them and I am pretty sure it will turn out.
Supplies
- Tile coaster for base (optional)
- 20 2 by 4 lego pieces
- plastic straws
- string
- 1 styrofoam plate
supplies for balance scale.
- normal sized empty water bottle
- computer paper
- ruler
- tape
- scissors
Step 1: STEP 1 and 2 of the Balance Scale
Step 1 of the balance scale is very easy. The materials you need are the 2 by 4 Lego bricks if you don't have them you can use some 2 by 2 bricks. I chose these because they are sturdy enough for the base of the balance scale. But you would want to take 10 of the 20 blocks and stack them together. Then do the same with the rest of the other half.
Step 2 of the balance scale is to grab a ruler to be precise about the measurement. You will need to cut off 2-3 inches off the straw on each side depending on the size. I used bendy straws And think they work the best. Then do the same with the others (I recommend 6 straws.) After tie them in a bundle.
NOTE, you have to put 3 bendy parts on each side.
Step 2: Step 3 and 4 of the Balance Scale
Step 3 is also quite easy to fallow too. The first thing you need is the bundle of straws, the Lego stand and some sturdy string. The First thing you need to do is put the bundle of straws on top of the Lego stand. Then tie them together and make sure there tied tight.
Step 4 of the balance scale needs a styrofoam tray and some more sturdy string. Then take the styrofoam tray and cut two identical squares out of it. Attach 4-5 inches of string to each corner of the two pails. Then attach the 2 pails to each side of the balance scale on the bendy part.
NOTE, you may need to put one pail on the non bendy part and keep the other one the same.
Step 3: Testing the Balance Scale
In this step you will be testing the balance scale to see how it works. To test my balance scale I used paper clips that is each 1 gram, you can also use 6 dollar bills if you don't have any paper clips or salt. But put 6 paper clips in a pail and 6 grams of salt in the other. Then they should be at the same height because the weight is the same. Then find something like 2 erasers that are different. Put one in one pail and the other on the other pail. If their weight is different, the heavier one would go down and the lighter one would go up. The scale might not react to small, light things but it is as accurate as it can get.
Step 4: Supplies Needed and Step 1 and 2 of Graduated Cylinder.
The supplies needed for the graduated cylinder are
- a clear plastic water bottle. I choose this because it was already used for holding water and you can see more clearly this way.
- tape, paper for the measurement, scissors.
Step 1 of the graduated cylinder needs the scissors and the water bottle. First of all you need to empty out the water bottle if not done all ready. After you have to cut the top off the water bottle so that you can not see the curved part.
step 2 of the graduated cylinder was to get a ruler and mark off each tick mark and centimeter and stop when it is the length of the water bottle. Tape over the paper and and edge of the water bottle.
Step 5: Testing the Graduated Cylinder
In this step you will be testing to see if the graduated cylinder will work. To test mine I filed it up with water to any height. Then find a bigger object that will still fit in the bottle. Before you put the object in, mark it with something so you know where you started. Then put the object in. After, mark that and see the comparison between when you started. Depending on ho much water you put in depends on the size of the object you put in.
Step 6: Using the Tools to Compare Density
In this step you will be testing the tools to compare density. To do this you will need at least 6 objects. 2 objects that are clearly larger than one other. 2 that are clearly heaver than one other. Last but not least, 2 that have about the same volume. The first you would start with are the 2 objects that are clearly larger than one other. Fill the graduated cylinder so that the object could easily be covered. NOTE, before you put in the object mark were the water line is, then put the object in and record were it is now. Do the same with the other object. after you get the data you want to subtract were the water line was in the beginning from the end for each object and that is the volume. Record witch has the the most and least volume. Then you will find out the mass of the objects. Put one Object on one end and the other on the other end. see if object one or object 2 has more or less mass. Record the data on the mass. After that you should be able to find the density of the object. Do the same as this with the others.
Step 7: Conclusion
In this conclusion I plain on using the graduated cylinder more often in more and more science classes. I hope to get better at using it and finding its density. As I said in the beginning of the instructable, I guarantee that it will turn out. I hope you had fun building and testing the tools of a scientist.