Units of Volume

Units of Volume

Have you wondered how much stuff you can fit in a box? In this text, we will focus on units of volume, which is really important for understanding space and measurement. We will explore unit cubes and cubic units, and learn about different volume units such as cubic centimetres ($\text{cm}^3$) and cubic metres ($\text{m}^3$).

Understanding Units of Volume

Volume is a fun way to find out how big something is on the inside. It's not just how tall, wide, or long something is – it's all three combined! We measure volume in special units called cubic units.

To measure volume, we use cubes because volume is about filling space in three dimensions: length, width and height. A cube has all three (length x width x height), making it perfect for measuring volume. We write this as ³, which means cubed. Think of a cube (like a dice or a Rubik's cube). If each side of this cube is 1 centimetre, then we call it a cubic centimetre and write it as cm³. This is great for measuring small things like a toy or a chocolate bar.

Before progressing, let’s check your understanding so far.

Units of Volume – Types and Differences

When measuring volume, we often use different units depending on the size of the object. It is important to consider what unit of volume makes most sense when measuring objects. These units are all based on cubes of different sizes. Here's a look at the main types:

• Cubic Centimetre ($\text{cm}^3$): This unit is used for small objects. It's a cube where each side is 1 centimetre long. Imagine a tiny sugar cube, that's about a cubic centimetre.
• Cubic Metres ($\text{m}^3$): This unit is used for larger items or spaces. A cubic metre is a cube where each side is 1 metre long. Some storage boxes will be roughly this size.

You may also come across volume measured using imperial units such as cubic inches ($\text{in}^3$) and cubic feet ($\text{ft}^3$).

Units of Volume – Table

Below is a table of the different units of volume measurement and their common uses. It is important to remember that this is a partial list of measurements that can be used with volume.

Relationship between Litres and Centimetres in Volume

A litre and a cubic centimetre ($\text{cm}^3$) measure volume, which is how much space something takes up. Think of a $\text{cm}^3$ as a tiny box. A litre is a much bigger box. To fill this big box with tiny boxes, you would need 1,000 of them. So, 1 litre is the same as 1,000 cubic centimetres. This helps us understand and compare the size of different things easily! A bottle of lemonade often contains 2L so this would be 2,000 $\text{cm}^3$.

Units of Volume – Guided Practice

When working with units of volume, it is important to apply logical thinking and reasoning skills. The steps you can use to think this through are:

• Step 1: Understand the size
• Step 2: Know the unit you will use
• Step 3: Apply the unit

Let’s have a go together by applying this logical thinking and reasoning to a swimming pool.

Units of Volume – Application

Consider various objects like a sugar cube, a delivery box and a room. Think about which unit of volume would be most suitable for each and why.

Units of Volume – Summary

Volume is an important concept, and your journey in understanding units of volume today is just the beginning! You may want to explore how to calculate the volume of rectangular prisms, spheres, cones or cylinders where you can begin applying your learning about units of volume!

Units of Volume – Frequently Asked Questions