AC9M4M01 • Homework

Reading Scales, Partial Units and Digital Instruments worksheet

Use this printable homework sheet for written working, application and reflection alongside the online learning activities.

Open practice

Eight written homework tasks

Each task stands alone and may appear in any order in the PDF. Use separate paper for larger drawings and practical records. Ask an adult to inspect actual measuring and making as well as written answers.

  1. The mass scale runs from 100 g to 400 g in six equal spaces. Find one interval, read the pointer between marks and explain your working. Then compare the reading with a digital scale showing 0.3 kg. State the heavier reading and the difference in grams.

  2. Measure two small objects with a real ruler. Name the objects, align zero correctly and record both lengths to the nearest millimetre. Draw a labelled sketch showing the two endpoint readings for one object. Compare the lengths and find the difference. Explain why millimetres are useful here.

  3. Use kitchen scales to measure two safe objects. Record whether the scales are analog or digital, the zero check, both masses and the unit. Compare the masses. For an analog scale, state the value of one interval; for a digital scale, explain the displayed whole and part units or the whole-unit reading.

  4. The jug has eight equal spaces from 0 to 2 L. State the amount in one space and read its liquid level. Write the reading in litres and millilitres. How much more liquid would reach 2 L? Explain how the scale shows your answer.

  5. Read the thermometer diagram and explain the unlabelled intervals and halfway position. Then use a safe thermometer with an adult to measure one classroom or home temperature. Record the actual reading and unit, and state whether it is warmer, cooler or the same as the diagram.

  6. Estimate the clock to the nearest minute and explain the hand positions. An activity finishes at 4:40; about how long is it from the shown time? Separately, set and run a real minutes : seconds timer for 25 seconds. Record the setting and describe the alert you observed.

  7. Make a measuring cup with an adult using a clear container and a marked measuring jug. Add measured 50 mL portions up to 250 mL, marking and labelling each level. Use your cup to measure a fresh amount; record it and check it with the jug. Explain how your marks were made accurately. Draw and label the cup on separate paper.

  8. JCU TropWATER publicly describes First Nations Land and Sea Rangers helping deploy temperature loggers in seagrass habitats. In a classroom model, invented readings are 25.5 °C at 9:00, 26 °C at 9:10 and 25 °C at 9:20. Find the time gaps, highest reading and change from first to last. Explain what instrument measures this attribute and why these data cannot describe a real Ranger site.

Complete answer guide and practical checks

  1. The interval is (400 − 100) ÷ 6 = 50 g. The pointer is 3½ intervals above 100 g: 100 + 175 = 275 g. 0.3 kg = 300 g, so the digital reading is heavier by 25 g. Require interval calculation, halfway reasoning, units and comparison.

  2. Actual lengths vary. Example: 87 mm and 104 mm; the second is 17 mm longer. Check real zero alignment, two readings with mm, a matching endpoint sketch and accurate difference. Millimetres show small length differences. A nonzero start is valid if its reading is subtracted. Accept any safe objects and correct records.

  3. Actual masses vary. Example digital readings: 0.45 kg and 0.6 kg, which are 450 g and 600 g; the second is heavier by 150 g. Require actual scale use, zero check, two readings with units, correct comparison and an interval or display explanation matching the instrument. Accept whole-gram digital scales and accurately interpreted analog readings.

  4. One space is 2 ÷ 8 = 0.25 L, or 250 mL. Five spaces show 1.25 L = 1250 mL. Three spaces remain: 0.75 L = 750 mL. Require the interval, reading in both units and remaining-capacity reasoning.

  5. The diagram has ten equal spaces spanning 20 degrees, so each is 2 °C. The level is halfway between 22 and 24 °C: about 23 °C. Actual temperature varies; inspect the real reading, °C unit and comparison with 23 °C. Require the interval and half-interval reasoning. The adult chooses safe equipment and location.

  6. Clock: about 4:28; the short hand is between 4 and 5 and the minute hand is three fifths of the way from 5 (25 minutes) to 6 (30 minutes). From 4:28 to 4:40 is about 12 minutes. Timer setting 00:25; inspect actual operation and the observed alert at the countdown’s end.

  7. Labels should be 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mL, each placed after an actual measured addition. A widening container may have unequal height gaps. Trial readings vary; inspect the actual cup, jug-measured additions, labelled drawing, fresh trial reading and reference check. Accept an accurate trial between marks if the estimate is explained. Guessed equal-height markings alone are incomplete.

  8. Time gaps are 10 minutes each. Highest is 26 °C at 9:10. From 25.5 °C to 25 °C is a fall of 0.5 °C. A thermometer or temperature logger measures temperature. These explicitly invented readings model repeated recording and are not observations from a real Ranger site. Require units, both time gaps, correct comparisons and this distinction.

Accept valid alternative constructions and real measurements that match the chosen objects. A completion tick alone does not demonstrate the required practical evidence.