The Beacon Balcony Matter Check

Samples on the Lighthouse Beacon Balcony

At a lighthouse on a rocky coast, a science club studies small materials used in a model beacon. The club wants to know what happens to the total weight when materials are mixed or when one material changes shape. The students use a digital scale that measures in grams (g).

For each test, the students weigh the complete setup before making a change. They keep the material and its container together. Then they shake, roll, or press the material without opening the setup and weigh the complete setup again. The scale, container, and measuring method stay the same. Nothing is added or removed during these closed tests.

In Test A, shell chips and glass beads are placed in a sealed sample case. Shaking makes the two materials spread together. In Test B, water and smooth stones are placed in a closed jar. Rolling the jar moves the stones through the water. In Test C, a lump of modeling clay is sealed in a small pouch and pressed into a thin shape. The students record these readings.

Test | Empty container | Materials before change | Total before | Total afterA | 38 g case | 74 g shell chips + 52 g glass beads | 164 g | 164 gB | 46 g jar and lid | 120 g water + 68 g stones | 234 g | 234 gC | 18 g pouch | 96 g clay | 114 g | 114 g

After each test, the students compare the whole setup's first and second readings. They also describe what they can see, such as materials spread through one another or clay taking up a different shape.