Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12
Subject
Mathematics, Physical Science, Measurement and Data Analysis, Forces and Motion, Gravity, Microgravity
Type
Lesson Plans / Activities
Scales and beam balances do not work in microgravity. In this activity, teachers will construct inertial balances so that groups of students will be able to demonstrate how oscillation is used to measure mass where there is little to no gravity. “Student reader” pages provide background information about inertia and microgravity. Student learning may be assessed through the calibration graphs and data sheets.
Inertial Balance [158KB PDF file]
This activity is part of the Microgravity Educator Guide.