Chapter 3 of 15
Chapter 3: How Much Can You Carry?
Heavier and Lighter, Pan Balance, and Load Capacity | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Comparing weights of objects using words: 'heavier than' and 'lighter than'.
- Understanding balance scales: the heavier side tilts downwards, the lighter side goes up.
- The Clever Donkey story: why salt becomes lighter in water while cotton becomes heavier.
- Estimating what different animals and children can carry realistically.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (20 Questions)
100% Complete Ingestion
Q1
Textbook Exercise • Pan Balance
Look at a two-pan balance scale. One pan has a watermelon and the other pan has an apple. Which pan will go down, and why?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• The watermelon is much heavier than the apple.
• On a balance scale, the heavier side tilts downward while the lighter side rises upward.
• Therefore, the pan with the watermelon will go down.
• The watermelon is much heavier than the apple.
• On a balance scale, the heavier side tilts downward while the lighter side rises upward.
• Therefore, the pan with the watermelon will go down.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identifies watermelon pan goes down
1 M
Heavier side pushes pan down explained
1 M
Q2
Textbook Exercise • Heavier vs Lighter
Which is heavier: (a) A cricket ball or a football? (b) A school bag with books or an empty pencil box?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Answer:
(a) A cricket ball (hard leather/cork) is heavier than an air-filled hollow football.
(b) A school bag full of books is much heavier than an empty pencil box.
(a) A cricket ball (hard leather/cork) is heavier than an air-filled hollow football.
(b) A school bag full of books is much heavier than an empty pencil box.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
(a) Cricket ball identified
1 M
(b) School bag identified
1 M
Q3
Textbook Exercise • Who Can Carry What?
Simran wants to help her father carry grocery items from the store to the kitchen. Match each item to who can carry it (Simran, her mother, or her father):
(1) 1 kg ghee (2) 5 kg atta (3) 2 kg sugar
[3 Marks]
(1) 1 kg ghee (2) 5 kg atta (3) 2 kg sugar
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Matching:
• Simran (Class 2 child): 1 kg ghee packet.
• Mother: 2 kg sugar packet.
• Father: 5 kg atta sack.
• Simran (Class 2 child): 1 kg ghee packet.
• Mother: 2 kg sugar packet.
• Father: 5 kg atta sack.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 kg ghee -> Simran
1 M
2 kg sugar -> Mother
1 M
5 kg atta -> Father
1 M
Q4
Animal Carrying Capacity
Match the animal with the object it can carry in the NCERT exercise:
(a) Ant (b) Bird (c) Elephant (d) Dog
Objects: (1) A big wooden log (2) A tiny grain of sugar (3) A small leaf/twig (4) A rubber ball
[2 Marks]
(a) Ant (b) Bird (c) Elephant (d) Dog
Objects: (1) A big wooden log (2) A tiny grain of sugar (3) A small leaf/twig (4) A rubber ball
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Matching:
• (a) Ant: (2) A tiny grain of sugar.
• (b) Bird: (3) A small leaf/twig in its beak.
• (c) Elephant: (1) A big wooden log with its trunk.
• (d) Dog: (4) A rubber ball in its mouth.
• (a) Ant: (2) A tiny grain of sugar.
• (b) Bird: (3) A small leaf/twig in its beak.
• (c) Elephant: (1) A big wooden log with its trunk.
• (d) Dog: (4) A rubber ball in its mouth.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 animals correctly matched
2 M (0.5 M each)
Q5
Balance Comparison
A pan balance has two shoes on the left pan and one shoe on the right pan. Which side is lighter? How can you make both sides equal?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Answer:
• The right pan (with 1 shoe) is lighter and will rise up.
• To make both sides balance equally, add one more shoe to the right pan so that both pans have 2 shoes.
• The right pan (with 1 shoe) is lighter and will rise up.
• To make both sides balance equally, add one more shoe to the right pan so that both pans have 2 shoes.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Right pan identified as lighter
1 M
Adding 1 shoe to right pan
1 M
Q6
Practical Reasoning • Empty vs Full
Why is a bucket full of water heavier than an empty bucket?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• An empty plastic bucket has only the weight of its thin plastic walls.
• When filled with water, the weight of several litres of water is added to the bucket, making it much heavier.
• An empty plastic bucket has only the weight of its thin plastic walls.
• When filled with water, the weight of several litres of water is added to the bucket, making it much heavier.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Weight of water addition explained
1 M
Clear physical reasoning
1 M
Q7
See-Saw Science
Raju wants to ride a see-saw, but his friend Mohan sits on the other end. Raju's side goes up into the air and stays there. Who is heavier: Raju or Mohan? How can Rani help Raju?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• Since Mohan's side went down, Mohan is heavier than Raju.
• To balance the see-saw, Rani can sit on Raju's side. Their combined weight will bring Raju's side down and balance Mohan.
• Since Mohan's side went down, Mohan is heavier than Raju.
• To balance the see-saw, Rani can sit on Raju's side. Their combined weight will bring Raju's side down and balance Mohan.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Mohan identified as heavier
1 M
Rani sitting on Raju's side explained
1 M
Q8
Ordering by Weight
Arrange these 4 objects from the LIGHTEST to the HEAVIEST: Leaf, School Bag, Feather, Bicycle.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Arrangement from Lightest to Heaviest:
1. Feather (lightest)
2. Leaf
3. School Bag
4. Bicycle (heaviest).
1. Feather (lightest)
2. Leaf
3. School Bag
4. Bicycle (heaviest).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct order from feather to bicycle
2 M
Q9
Everyday Comparison • Fruit Stall
At a fruit stall, a vendor balances 1 big pineapple with 3 identical apples. Which is heavier: 1 pineapple or 1 apple?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• 1 pineapple balances 3 apples.
• Therefore, 1 pineapple is much heavier than 1 single apple (it weighs 3 times as much as 1 apple).
• 1 pineapple balances 3 apples.
• Therefore, 1 pineapple is much heavier than 1 single apple (it weighs 3 times as much as 1 apple).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Pineapple identified as heavier
1 M
Comparison with 3 apples stated
1 M
Q10
Real-Life Carrying • School Bag Health
Why should young children not carry a school bag that is too heavy?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Carrying an excessively heavy school bag strains a child's delicate spine, back muscles, and shoulders.
2. It can cause poor posture, tiredness, and back pain. Students should only carry books required for the day's timetable.
1. Carrying an excessively heavy school bag strains a child's delicate spine, back muscles, and shoulders.
2. It can cause poor posture, tiredness, and back pain. Students should only carry books required for the day's timetable.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Spine / muscle strain explained
1 M
Health advice regarding timetable
1 M
Q11
Everyday Kitchen • Measuring Spoons
Which is lighter: A wooden cooking spoon or a steel pressure cooker?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• The wooden cooking spoon is much lighter.
• A steel pressure cooker is made of thick metal and is far heavier.
• The wooden cooking spoon is much lighter.
• A steel pressure cooker is made of thick metal and is far heavier.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Wooden cooking spoon correctly identified
1 M
Q12
Volume vs Weight • Cotton vs Iron
A large pillow filled with cotton takes up more space than a small iron nail. But which one is heavier: the nail or the pillow?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• Although cotton is light, a large pillow contains several hundred grams of cotton.
• A single small iron nail weighs only a few grams.
• Therefore, the pillow is heavier than the small iron nail.
• Although cotton is light, a large pillow contains several hundred grams of cotton.
• A single small iron nail weighs only a few grams.
• Therefore, the pillow is heavier than the small iron nail.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Pillow identified as heavier
1 M
Explanation distinguishing size and mass
1 M
Q13
Observation Problem • Gas Balloon
When you let go of a gas-filled balloon, it flies up to the ceiling. Is the gas balloon heavier or lighter than the surrounding air?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• The gas inside the balloon (helium) is lighter than the surrounding air.
• Because it is lighter, buoyant force pushes it upwards towards the ceiling.
• The gas inside the balloon (helium) is lighter than the surrounding air.
• Because it is lighter, buoyant force pushes it upwards towards the ceiling.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Lighter than air identified
1 M
Upward movement explained
1 M
Q14
Two-Pan Balance Deduction
If Pan A has 2 mangoes and Pan B has 2 mangoes of the exact same size, what will happen to the balance beam?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• Since both pans have identical objects of equal weight, neither pan goes down.
• The balance beam remains horizontal (perfectly balanced / level).
• Since both pans have identical objects of equal weight, neither pan goes down.
• The balance beam remains horizontal (perfectly balanced / level).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Horizontal / balanced state stated
1 M
Equal weight rationale provided
1 M
Q15
Practical Application • Self Weight
Can a 7-year-old child carry their own bicycle up 3 flights of stairs? Why or why not?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Answer:
• No, a 7-year-old child should not try to carry a bicycle up stairs.
• Reason: A metal bicycle is too heavy, bulky, and difficult to grip safely for a small child, and could cause them to fall.
• No, a 7-year-old child should not try to carry a bicycle up stairs.
• Reason: A metal bicycle is too heavy, bulky, and difficult to grip safely for a small child, and could cause them to fall.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Negative response (No)
1 M
Weight and safety reason
1 M
Q16
Word Problem • Weight Comparison
A packet of salt weighs 1 kg. A bag of rice weighs 5 kg. How many packets of salt are needed to equal the weight of 1 bag of rice?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• Weight of 1 rice bag = 5 kg
• Weight of 1 salt packet = 1 kg
• Number of packets needed = 5 ÷ 1 = 5 packets of salt.
• Weight of 1 rice bag = 5 kg
• Weight of 1 salt packet = 1 kg
• Number of packets needed = 5 ÷ 1 = 5 packets of salt.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Division 5 ÷ 1 shown
1 M
5 packets answer correct
1 M
Q17
Concept Check • Fill in Blanks
Fill in the blanks with 'heavier' or 'lighter':
(a) A dry sponge is _______ than a wet sponge.
(b) An elephant is _______ than a deer.
[2 Marks]
(a) A dry sponge is _______ than a wet sponge.
(b) An elephant is _______ than a deer.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
(a) A dry sponge is lighter than a wet sponge (water adds weight).
(b) An elephant is heavier than a deer.
(a) A dry sponge is lighter than a wet sponge (water adds weight).
(b) An elephant is heavier than a deer.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
(a) lighter
1 M
(b) heavier
1 M
Q18
Summary Reflection
What have you learned about measuring weight in Chapter 3?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Key Learnings:
1. Heavy things push a balance pan down, while lighter things rise.
2. Some materials change weight when wet (like cotton absorbing water or salt dissolving).
3. People and animals can only carry loads suitable for their body strength.
1. Heavy things push a balance pan down, while lighter things rise.
2. Some materials change weight when wet (like cotton absorbing water or salt dissolving).
3. People and animals can only carry loads suitable for their body strength.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Balance scale rule
1 M
Wet material property
1 M
Appropriate load capacity
1 M
Q19
Textbook Story • The Clever Donkey
Why did the donkey intentionally tumble into the stream with the heavy salt sacks, and what happened when his master loaded cotton sacks the next day?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
1. Salt dissolves in water, so the salt sacks became very light after falling into the stream.
2. When cotton fell into the stream, it soaked up water and became twice as heavy, teaching the lazy donkey a lesson.
1. Salt dissolves in water, so the salt sacks became very light after falling into the stream.
2. When cotton fell into the stream, it soaked up water and became twice as heavy, teaching the lazy donkey a lesson.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Salt dissolved/became light
1.5 M
Cotton soaked water/became heavier
1.5 M
Q20
Textbook Activity • Seesaw Balance
On a playground seesaw, an elephant sits on one side and a monkey sits on the other. Which side will go down to the ground, and why?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• The elephant's side will go down to the ground because an elephant is much heavier than a monkey.
• The elephant's side will go down to the ground because an elephant is much heavier than a monkey.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Elephant side goes down
1 M
Heavier weight explained
1 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
The Clever Donkey's River Trick
Sandesh has a donkey that carries sacks of salt to market. One day while crossing a river, the donkey slipped and fell into the water. When it got up, the sack felt very light! The next day, the sly donkey intentionally sat in the river. But on the third day, Sandesh put sacks of cotton cloth instead of salt on its back.
Analytical Task: Why did the sack feel light when filled with salt? What happened to the cotton sack when the donkey sat in the river?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. The salt sack felt light because salt dissolves in water and washed away into the river.
2. When the donkey sat in the river with the cotton sack, the cotton absorbed lots of water, making the sack extremely heavy and teaching the donkey a lesson!
2. When the donkey sat in the river with the cotton sack, the cotton absorbed lots of water, making the sack extremely heavy and teaching the donkey a lesson!
Rubric: 1.5 M for salt dissolving explanation + 1.5 M for cotton absorbing water explanation