Volume

Volume Definition & Units Volume is the amount of space something takes up. Think back to your lesson about the phases of matter. One of the characteristics of both solids and liquids is that they have their own volume. Gases have the volume of the container they are in. There are two units of volume: milliliters (mL) and centimeters cubed (cm 3 ). Measuring cup clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com DiscoverySchool.com

Volume Measuring Cubed Solids To find the volume a cubed or rectangular solid multiply the length, width, and height (LxWxH). The units for cubed solids are cm 3. Make sure when you measure the length, width and height of an object that you do it in centimeters and not inches.

Volume Measuring Liquids To find the volume of a liquid, all you have to do is a straight measurement - pour the liquid into a container that shows the measurements. The liquid measuring cups that your mom uses in the kitchen measure liquid volume. In science, the best way to measure liquid is with a graduated cylinder or a beaker. When measuring liquid volume, use milliliters (mL) as the units.

Volume Meniscus When you measure volume with a graduated cylinder, you have to watch out for the meniscus. A meniscus is a dip in the graduated cylinder caused by water sticking to the sides of the graduated cylinder. Always read the volume of the liquid at the bottom of the meniscus. Image from Chem PagesChem Pages Meniscus

Volume Measuring Irregular Solids How would you find the volume of this rock or these nails? There are too many sides of the rock to measure with a ruler, and the nail changes size as you get closer to the tip. The best way to measure these objects would be to use a measuring method called water displacement.

Volume Water Displacement How Water Displacement Works: 1. Fill a graduated cylinder to a known measurement. 2. Drop the object being measured into the graduated cylinder. 3. Look at the new volume. 4. Calculate the difference between the first and second volume. The difference equals the volume of the object. Or…

Volume Water Displacement 1. Fill a container with a spout (like a liquid measuring cup) full to almost overflowing with water. 2. Place another container beneath the spout to catch the water. 3. Place the object to be measured in the container with water. Water should spill out into the catching container. 4. Measure the water that spilled into the catching container. The volume of the overflow water will equal the volume of the object. Overflow water spills into the “catching container”. Measuring cup filled to almost overflowing. Overflow water measured in a graduated cylinder to find the volume of the object. Measuring cup clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.comDiscoverySchool.com