Volume Laboratory Experiment
Part 1- Measuring the volume of a liquid
Volume of a liquid:
Instructions:
1. Use an appropriate sized graduated
cylinder.
2. Fill a beaker up with water
3. Slowly pour the water into the
graduated cylinder going drop by
drop when you are close to the
volume needed.
4. Ensure you read the volume from
the bottom of the meniscus.
What is the volume of the liquid? _________
What are the units for volume of a liquid? ________
Activity:
 Work with a partner to measure out the following volumes of water
using a 100 ml graduated cylinder.
 Each partner will measure the volume indicated and then will check if
the their partners measurement is correct by looking to see if the
meniscus is in the correct position.
 If the measurement is done correctly you can put a check mark in the
column beside the measurement.
Volume to be measured
1
44 ml
2
95 ml
3
75 ml
4
12 ml
Check mark if it is
correct!
Part 2- Measuring the volume of a solid.
Method 1: Volume using a formula
Instructions:
1. Measure the length, width and height
of the object
2. Use the formula V= l x w x h to
calculate the volume
3. Make sure to include units
Units: ________________
Measuring Equipment:
__________________
Example calculation:
When we use this calculation:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Method 2: Volume using a graduated cylinder
Instructions :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fill a graduated cylinder with water
Record the initial volume
Place the item in the graduated
Record the final volume
Use the formula VFinal –Vinitial to find the
change in volume.
6. Convert the units from ml to cm3
Initial Volume (Vi)
Final Volume (V2)
Volume of the object
(V2-V1)
What are the units for the volume of the object?_____
When would we use this method?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Method #3: Volume using an overflow container
Instructions:
1. Place a beaker or a graduated cylinder under the
overflow spout.
2. Fill the overflow container with water until it
starts to pour out of the spout.
3. Empty the water from the container used to catch
the water
4. Place the item into the overflow container and
catch any water that drips out.
5. Be patient and wait for the last drops.
6. Pour the liquid from the beaker into a graduated
cylinder and record the volume
7. Change the units from ml to cm3
Let’s Practice!
Method #1: Calculation
Object:____________________
Calculation:
(Show all your work)
Volume:
Method #2: Graduated cylinder
Object: ____________________
Initial Volume (Vi)
Final Volume (V2)
Volume: ______________
Method #3: Overflow container
Object:____________________
Volume:__________________
Volume of the object (V2V1)