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This is the space that an object
occupies. You will have come across
this idea at Primary School and in your Mathematics lessons. In Physics you are expected
to know how to find the volume of some common shapes. You will be expected to remember
the easy ones: 
Other formulae
will be given you to work from in the examination: 
UNITS The unit of
volume is the unit of length used in the calculation cubed. The SI
unit of length is the metre so the SI unit of volume is the metre
cubed (m3).
Many calculations
that you will be given up to GCSE level will involve centimetre cubed
and millimetre cubed. Unless you are told otherwise do not attempt to
change them into SI units.... if you do so and make a mistake you will
lose marks. If you have
to make a conversion, don't simply memorise the relationship work it
out as below: 
The calculation
of a number for a volume is meaningless without the unit. It makes all
the difference. A 1m3 tank holds a ton of water.... a 1 cm3
container only holds 1g of water.... a big difference! See the page
on the use of a measuring
cylinder. L
O Jones October 2001 |
