Balance Scale

NCERT anchor: NCERT Looking Around Class 1 — Theme: Things We Use (using a simple balance to compare weight)

• A balance scale has two pans — it helps compare which object is heavier.
• The pan with the heavier object goes down; the lighter pan goes up.
• A see-saw at the park works like a big balance scale.

1. The two pans

Level 1 (Verbal): Put one object in each pan of the balance and watch what happens.

Level 2 (Symbolic): Heavier pan → goes down. Lighter pan → goes up.

Visual: A simple balance with two hanging pans, one lower than the other.

2. Reading the balance

Verbal: If both pans stay level, the two objects weigh the same.

Symbolic: Equal weight = balance stays level (neither pan up nor down).

Visual: A balance with both pans at the same height.

3. The see-saw example

On a see-saw, the heavier friend's side touches the ground; the lighter friend's side goes up.

Balancing an apple and a cotton ball

Step 1 — Place the apple in the left pan of the balance.
Step 2 — Place the cotton ball in the right pan.
Step 3 — The left pan (apple) goes down; the right pan (cotton) goes up.
Step 4 — Conclude: the apple is heavier than the cotton ball.
Answer: the apple is heavier; the cotton ball is lighter.

• On a balance, which pan goes down — the heavy one or the light one?
• What does it mean if both pans stay level?
• On a see-saw, whose side touches the ground — heavier or lighter friend?
• Stretch: How could you use a balance to find the heaviest of three toys?

Revision tip: Say aloud: 'Down pan is heavy, up pan is light, level pan means equal.'

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Balance Scale.