Volume of Shapes

INTRODUCTION

Liquids take the shape of their containers. This experiment will allow the comparison of the relative volumes of six geometric shapes in addition to allowing the students to observe the properties of liquids.

MATERIALS

• Water
• Food coloring
• Clear plastic volume set, includes: sphere, cone, cylinder, cube, square pyramid, and rectangular prism (Learning Resources, Inc., LER 0240). These objects all have 4" bases or diameters.
• Graduated cylinders

PREPARATION

Before the presentation begins, fill each three-dimensional object approximately half full with water and add food coloring. The volume that corresponds to half of the volume of each object is listed below.
Geometric Object ½ Total Volume Equation to Calculate Total Volume

1. Cone 137 mL V = 1/3 (r² h)
2. Sphere 275 mL V = 2/3 (r² h)
3. Cylinder 412 mL V = r² h
4. Cube 524 mL V = l x w x h
5. Square Pyramid 175 mL V = 1/3 s³
6. Rectangular Prism 262 mL V = l x w x h

WHAT TO DO

1. Fill the containers with the amount of water listed above.
2. Ask the students to decide which contains the most water and which contains the least.
3. Using a funnel and a graduated cylinder measure how much water is in each container.

QUESTIONS

1. What does the word volume mean?
2. What is the relationship between the volume contained in the square pyramid and the cube? Compare the volumes contained in the other geometric objects.
3. If the volume of one object is known, is it possible to predict the volume of the other containers?

SUMMARY

The molecules of a liquid are loosely connected and move around to take the shape of each container. This is clearly illustrated with each of the different geometric objects used.

SOURCE

"Solids, Liquids and Gases." The Ontario Science Centre, 1995. ISBN 1-55-74-195-0

© S. Olesik, WOW Project, Ohio State University, 2000.