Volume: Comparing, adding and subtracting

​​In a nutshell

Volume is how you describe how much space an object occupies, or the capacity of an object. As it measures the size of objects in 3 dimensions, you use the units $$cm^{3}$$, $$ml$$​ or $$l$$​ to describe volume. You can use a submersion technique to find and compare volumes of objects.

Comparing volume

​Bigger objects have greater volume, so a $$100cm^{3}$$​ ball has a greater capacity than a $$50cm^{3}$$ pencil case. Remember that you can only compare volumes if they have the same unit; a $$750cm^{3}$$​ bottle is not bigger than a $$1l$$​ water tank! Use this equation to convert between units:

$$1000cm^{3} = 1000ml = 1l$$

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Adding and subtracting volume

PROCEDURE

Example

What is the difference in volume between a $$750cm^{3}$$ juice bottle and a $$1.5l$$​ water bottle?

​$$1.5l = 1500 cm^{3}$$​​

$$1500- 750 =\underline{750cm^{3}}$$

What is the combined volume of the juice and water bottle in millilitres?

$$1.5l = 1500cm^{3}$$

$$1500 + 750 = \underline{2250ml}$$