Volume (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what volume is, how it is measured and some examples. Also, what is density and mass.

To calculate the volume of an object, multiply its length by its width and height.

What is volume?

Volume is understood as a metric, Euclidean and scalar magnitude which can be defined as the extension of an object in its three dimensions, that is, taking into account its length, width and height. All physical bodies occupy a space that varies according to their proportions, and the measure of said space is volume.

To calculate the volume of an object It will be enough to multiply its length by its width and by its height or in the case of geometric solids, apply certain formulas based on area and height or other similar variables. For example:

Volume of a parallelepiped v = lxbxh, where l is length, b is width and h is height.
Volume of a cube v = a³where to is the side of the cube, or to x to x to.
Volume of a sphere v = 4/3 x π xr³where r It's the radius.
Volume of a cylinder v = π xr² xh, where h is the height of the cylinder and π x r²is the surface of the circular base.
Volume of a cone v = (π xr² xh) / 3, where r is the radius of the base.
Volume of a pyramid v = 1/3 x to xh, where to is the base area.

On the other hand, depending on the state of aggregation of the matter and also its temperature, volume can take various forms. Thus, a solid body has a fixed and determined volume, while fluids (liquids and gases) do not have a fixed volume: they adapt to the space that contains them. Due to temperature variations, the volume of solids, gases and liquids can change, in general they can expand or contract.

How is volume measured?

Volume - tablespoon and teaspoon — In a culinary setting, volume can be measured in cups, tablespoons and teaspoons.

The unit established in the International System (SI) To measure volume it is the cubic meter (m3) although to measure capacity (equivalent to volume but in the presence of fluids) liters are used. This distinction is due to historical reasons, but they are equivalent measurements: a liter (L) is equivalent to a cubic decimeter (dm).³). This means that we can also speak of cubic kilometers or cubic millimeters, depending on the need.

In the Anglo-Saxon system of measurements, the volume It will be measured using feet, inches or cubic yards or for liquids the barrel, the gallon and the pint. In a culinary field, the cup, tablespoon or teaspoon is used as a measure of volume, which are less precise but much more practical.

To measure the volume of a fluid in a laboratory Beakers or test tubes are used.

To measure the volume of a solid, it must be immersed in a test tube with water (whose volume we know) and introduce the solid to measure the increase in the overall volume. Then the initial volume will be subtracted from the final volume and the volume of the added solid will be obtained.

Examples of volume

To exemplify what volume, the capacity of various containers can be used. For example, a glass, a cup, and a bottle have different capacities that represent the volume of space in their shapes.

Another example is the measurements of different materials that are used in a chemical laboratory to carry out an experiment: cubic centimeters of a solid, liters of a gas or other fluids.

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Density

Density is a scalar quantity that It is defined as the amount of mass of an object divided by the volume it occupies. It is usually represented with the Greek letter rho (ρ) and is expressed mathematically as ρ = m / V. The unit of measurement for density according to the International System is the kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3).

Mass

Mass is a magnitude that expresses the amount of matter present in a body measured by its inertia (that is, its resistance to acquiring an acceleration under the action of a force). It is an intrinsic property of matter, which is measured according to the International System (SI) in kilograms (kg) and is expressed by the variable m.

This measure should not be confused with the amount of substance which is chemically calculated in moles (mol); nor with the weight, which is a vector magnitude that represents the intensity with which the force of gravity acts on a massive body, measured according to the International System in Newtons (N).

References

“Volume” at https://es.wikipedia.org/.
“Introduction to the volume” (video) at https://es.khanacademy.org/.
“Learn how to calculate the area, volume and perimeter in a simple way” at https://noticias.universia.net.co/.
“The volume and its units” at https://www.edu.xunta.gal/.
“What is volume?” at https://www.tplaboratorioquimico.com/.