Measuring Volume

Physical Science

Mr. Riordan CGPS

1st Semester

• The amount of space an object takes up or occupies is called its volume.

Milliliter = volume of a cube of sugar

Cm3 = 1mL

• 1 mL = cm3

• 1000 mL = 1 L

• Volume is an important property of matter.

• We now know two important general properties of matter: matter is anything that has mass and volume.

Determining Volume of a Regularly Shaped Solid

• To determine the volume of a regularly shaped object (like a cube or box), you multiply the length by the width by the height.

• V=L x W x H

Determining the Volume of an Irregularly Shaped Solid

• To determine the volume of an irregularly shaped object, we simply submerge it into water.

• The volume of water that the object displaces is equal to the volume of the object.

• This method is called the displacement method and is credited to the Greek philosopher Archimedes.

• He is said to have discovered the idea while taking a bath.

• The farther down he lowered himself into his bath, the higher he noticed the water rising.

• He hypothesized that the amount of water pushed out of the way to make room for an object is the same as the volume of the object.

Archimedes.