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Year 3

Comparing and estimating mass and volume

I can compare objects with ones I know to estimate mass and volume.

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New
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Year 3

Comparing and estimating mass and volume

I can compare objects with ones I know to estimate mass and volume.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The size of something does not determine how much mass (or matter) an object has.
  2. Taller containers do not always hold a greater volume of liquid.
  3. If you know the mass and volume of some objects, it is easier to estimate others by comparing them.

Keywords

  • Estimate - An estimate is a given value, number or quantity that is near to the true amount; it is a number close enough to the right answer.

  • Mass - Mass is a measure of how much matter something contains. It is measured by how much something weighs. Mass can be measured in g or kg.

  • Volume - Volume is the specific amount of liquid in a container. Volume can be measured in millilitres or litres.

Common misconception

Larger objects have a greater mass. Taller containers have a greater capacity and/or volume.

The size of something does not determine how much mass an object has; taller containers may be narrower and so may not hold as much liquid.

As before, children should experience this lesson practically. Find some same-size balls with different masses; larger objects that have a smaller mass than smaller objects and taller containers that have a smaller volume than shorter, wider ones.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these would you use grams to measure?
The length of a bus.
The volume of liquid in a cup.
Correct answer: The mass of an egg.
Q2.
Look at these objects. Which has the greater mass?
An image in a quiz
The feather has the greater mass.
Correct answer: The car has the greater mass.
The mass of the feather and car are the same.
Q3.
A glass holds 250 ml of water. Compare this volume to a volume of one litre. Which statement is true?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 250 ml is less than one litre.
250 ml is more than one litre.
250 ml and 1 L are the same volume.
Q4.
What is the mass of this teddy bear?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 150 g, 150, 150g
Q5.
What volume of water is in this jug?
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40 ml
Correct answer: 80 ml
90 ml
Q6.
Starting with the smallest, put these containers in order of their capacity.
An image in a quiz
1 - C
2 - A
3 - B

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Look at these two bags. They are the same size. Will they have the same mass?
An image in a quiz
Yes
No
Correct answer: The could have, but we cannot be certain.
Q2.
Look at these bags. Which has the greater mass?
An image in a quiz
The green bag has the greater mass.
The orange bag has the greater mass.
Correct answer: I cannot be certain.
Q3.
Look at these containers. Which has the greatest capacity?
An image in a quiz
A
B
Correct answer: I cannot be certain.
Q4.
Andeep holds a pebble and compares its mass to the mass of a 50 g egg that he is holding. The pebble feels lighter than the egg. Which statement is true?
An image in a quiz
The pebble's mass must be greater than 50 g.
Correct answer: The pebble's mass must be smaller than 50 g.
The pebble must have a mass of 50 g.
Q5.
The mass of a toy car is smaller than the mass of a 50 g egg but greater than that of a 10 g pound coin. What could its mass be?
5 g
Correct answer: 30 g
Correct answer: 45 g
75 g
Q6.
Using these clues, starting with the object with the smallest mass, put these objects in order.
An image in a quiz
1 - Leaf
2 - Pebble
3 - Twig