What is Volume

• Volume is defined as the amount of space taken up by a three-dimensional object.

Volume often refers to liquid volume, which is defined as the amount of space taken up by a liquid, which spreads completely to fill its container.

Volume of LiquidsReading a Meniscus

Measuring Volume by Displacement

• Used for irregular shaped objects

• Select a graduated cylinder large enough to put the object in

• Add water - at least 10 mL and record accurately

• SLOWLY add the object to be measured:

rubber stopper

slug

metal cylinder• Read the new level of the

water• The water will rise an

amount equal to the volume of the object

What not to do

Here’s what the cylinder should look like

Do the math

1 . Original reading of volume

2. Final volume of water

3. This will equal the volume of the object

• 22.5 mL - 17.4 mL =  5.1 mL

•     Therefore, the volume of the object by displacement is 5.1 mL

A penny is a flat cylinder – could calculate the volume by direct

measurement.

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Value of Error in Minting Pennies

•How close the individual volumes are to each other  •Calculate as follows

% error = average volume - actual volume          actual volume

% error = error in minting the pennies

•The smaller the %error, the better the precision in making of the pennies.

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Example:

% error in minting pennies = average volume - actual volume          actual volume

% error in minting pennies = 1.2g - 1.4g          1.4g

= 0.14 X 100% = 14 %

So there is a 14% error in minting of these particular pennies

When are Equal Volumes Not Equal?

100mL 250mL 250 mL

ProcedureRuler

“equivalent volume”

Measure level of water as each “equivalent volume” is added.