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volume

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Volume is the amount of space that a substance fills. It is measured in cubic units, such as cubic centimetres or cubic meters.

Volume is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of a three-dimensional object. For example, the volume of a rectangular prism is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of the prism.

Volume is important because it is used to measure the amount of liquid or gas that can be held in a container. It is also used to measure the amount of space that an object takes up.

Volume is also important in physics and chemistry. In physics, volume is used to calculate the density of a substance. In chemistry, volume is used to calculate the amount of a substance that reacts with another substance.

How can the word be used?

The volume of the box is 10 cubic feet.

volume

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • the amount of space occupied by an object.
  • the amount of sound produced by a source.
  • a book or other written work.

Adjective: of or relating to volume.

Etymology

The word "volume" comes from the Latin word "volumen", which means "roll" or "scroll".

The first recorded use of the word "volume" in English was in the 14th century.

Question

Why might it be useful to know the volume of something?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the concept of volume and how it is measured. Provide an example of a real-life situation where volume measurement is important in scientific or everyday contexts.

Answer:

Volume refers to the amount of space occupied by an object or substance. It is a three-dimensional property that can be measured using various units, such as cubic meters (m³) or litres (L), depending on the context.

One common method of measuring volume is through the use of graduated cylinders or beakers for liquids. For irregularly shaped solids, displacement of water in a container can be employed to determine volume. Regularly shaped solids, such as cubes or cylinders, can have their volumes calculated using appropriate geometric formulas.

A real-life example highlighting the importance of volume measurement is in cooking. When following a recipe, accurate measurement of ingredients' volumes ensures the desired taste and texture of the final dish. Additionally, scientists studying the effects of pollutants in water bodies need to measure the volume of water samples accurately to determine pollutant concentrations.