Q&A for How to Calculate the Volume of an Irregular Object

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  • Question
    How can I find the volume of an irregular shape of 10 and 5?
    Community Answer
    If it's an irregular solid shape, take a measuring cylinder and add water. Measure the volume of water in the cylinder as v1. Then put the irregular solid in the cylinder and measure its volume as v2. To find the volume: (v2-v1)
  • Question
    How would I determine an irregular solid, like a piece of stone?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    See Method 1 above.
  • Question
    What if the irregular object doesn't fit in the graduated cylinder? How do you find the volume?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Cylinders come in lots of sizes. Use one slightly larger than the object.
  • Question
    How do I find the volume of a deflated basketball?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You would use the water-displacement method shown above, but there would be three obstacles. You would first have to determine that the air valve will not let water into the ball. Then, because deflated basketballs always have some air inside them, thereby causing the ball to float in water, you would have to force the ball below the water's surface, and whatever you use to hold the ball below the surface would add to the ball's volume. You would have to use something like a very small stick. Even that would affect the volume measurement a little. Thirdly, for complete accuracy, you would want to remove air bubbles attached to the surface of the ball. You could use your hands to do that.
  • Question
    What is the name of this method?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Method 1 above is called "water displacement." Method 2 doesn't have a name.
  • Question
    How do I find the volume of an irregular object like beans, screws, rocks, or rice? I have tried the method you suggested, but the water level doesn't change.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    If you are trying to find the volume of a very small object, you will need to use a tiny container, such as a very small graduated cylinder designed for this task.
  • Question
    How can I find the volume of non-straight objects?
    Community Answer
    You can find the volume using water displacement. Measure a volume of water. Drop the object into the water, and measure the difference. 1 ml = 1 cm3
  • Question
    What method do I use if I am trying to find the volume of giant irregular objects, such as the entire landmass of Asia?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    In the case of a land mass, the easiest way would be to learn (or calculate) the average elevation above sea level of the entire land mass, and multiply that by the surface area of the land mass. You'd have to define the land mass as everything above sea level, even though the entire mass is attached to (and a part of) the Earth's crust.
  • Question
    How do I find the volume of an irregular solid that floats?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use a weight to submerge the object in the water. Find the water displacement as described above. Then find the volume of the weight (by water displacement or by mathematics), and subtract that from the full water displacement.
  • Question
    I know the cross section area of an irregular sided bowl is eight cubic inches. How can I calculate volume?
    Community Answer
    Drop the object into a marked beaker of water and see how water is displaced.
  • Question
    Why do I need to use a different method for measuring an irregularly-shaped object?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Because the more irregular the shape, the harder it is to calculate its volume mathematically.
  • Question
    Which is the best measurement unit to find the volume?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    There is no "best" unit. The most appropriate unit depends on the size of the object. A very small object could be measured in cubic millimeters. Larger objects might be measured in cubic centimeters, inches, feet, yards, or meters.
  • Question
    Can't I do the Eureka can method?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes. That is a variation of the water displacement method.
  • Question
    How do I find the volume of an irregular object, like a rock, without water displacement?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The fact that the object is "irregular" means that it is not subject to mathematical measurement and analysis. If you happen to know the exact density of the object, you could weigh it and divide the weight by the density. Otherwise, you're limited to water displacement.
  • Question
    When an ice cube is odd-looking and weirdly-proportioned, how would I find the volume of it?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You would have to use the water-displacement method, using water just above the freezing point. You'd have to do it quickly so that the ice cube doesn't melt much. The volume you'd get would be only approximate, because some melting would be unavoidable.
  • Question
    How do I find the volume of an irregular object that dissolves in water?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    One possibility is to shrink-wrap the object before immersing it in the water. Another possibility is to use oil, a thin gel substance or fine-textured sand in the container instead of water.
  • Question
    Which displacement method is the most accurate?
    Community Answer
    The most accurate method is to evaluate a double integral knowing a function for the bowl.
  • Question
    Would you use a regular glass cup or a graduated cylinder?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    It's recommended to use a graduated cylinder to find volumes of most irregular shaped objects.
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