# Thread: Volume calculation

1. ## Volume calculation

Is the volume of a container dependent on the mass and density of the liquid in it, according to the equation m = d x v (mass = density x volume)? If so, then a 1 cu.m container that is filled with water will hold 1000 L of water (density of water = 1 g/cm3). However, if the container is filled with petrol (density of petrol = 750 g/L), then a 1 cu.m container filled with petrol will hold 750 L of petrol? Is this correct?

2. The volume is the amount of three-dimensional space that something takes up- the volume of your container will always be 1 $m^3$, regardless of what's inside it. The mass will change, depending on the density of the material.

3. ## Re: Volume calculation

Originally Posted by Henderson
The volume is the amount of three-dimensional space that something takes up- the volume of your container will always be 1 $m^3$, regardless of what's inside it. The mass will change, depending on the density of the material.
OK. But how does 1 cu.m = 1000 L? Can you show me how this has beeen determined?

4. Originally Posted by damo12
OK. But how does 1 cu.m = 1000 L? Can you show me how this has beeen determined?
The long way (since I don't bother to remember many unit conversions):
$\frac{1~m^3}{1} \times \left ( \frac{100~cm}{1~m} \right )^3 \times \frac{1~mL}{1~cm^3} \times \frac{1~L}{1000~mL} = \frac{100^3~L}{1000} = 1000~L$

-Dan