1. Determination of Volume Using the Volume Displacement Method
Pre Lab Notes
September 3, 2014

2. The volume displacement method is generally used when measuring the volume of irregularly shaped solids that sink in water.

3. How to find the volume Begin by filling a beaker halfway with water.
Add the object to the beaker
a. if it floats, the volume displacement method will not give an accurate measurement.
b. If it dissolves the volume displacement cannot be used.
c. if it sinks you can use volume displacement to determine the volume
How to find the volume

4. 3. Observe the size of the object to decide which type of graduated cylinder will be used to determine the volume
a. Sizes include: (50ml, 100ml, 250ml,
500ml, or 1 liter)

5. How do I read the volume in a graduated cylinder? Let’s Practice!!

7. Pour enough water into a graduated cylinder so
the object will be submerged in the water.
5. Record the volume of water.
Tilt the graduated cylinder and place the object in the cylinder (tilting helps to prevent splashing).
Observe and record the total volume contained in the cylinder.
To determine the volume of the object, subtract the volume of water without the object from the total volume recorded.
Example:
Volume of water = 50 ml
Total volume of water & object = 72 ml
Volume of object = ________

8. Convert the volume in units of milliliters to the volume in units of cubic centimeters (1 ml = 1cm3)
Conversion of Units