Density and volume are two common measurements in chemistry.
Volume and Density
The properties of a material may be described in many ways. Any amount of any substance will have a volume. If you have two containers of water that are different sizes, they each hold a different amount, or volume, of water. The unit for volume is a unit derived from the SI unit of length and is not a fundamental SI measurement.
If two water samples have different volumes, they still share a common measurement: the density. Density is another measurement derived from SI basic units. The density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume. In this example, each volume of water is different and therefore has a specific and unique mass. The mass of water is expressed in grams (g) or kilograms (kg), and the volume is measured in liters (L), cubic centimeters (cm3), or milliliters (mL). Density is calculated by the dividing the mass by the volume, so that density is measured as units of mass/volume, often g/mL. If both water samples are at the same temperature, their densities should be identical, regardless of the samples’ volume.
The measuring cup: The measuring cup is a common household utensil used for measuring the volumes of liquids.
If you have ever cooked in a kitchen, you have probably seen some sort of measuring cup, which allows the user to measure liquid volumes with reasonable accuracy. The measuring cup expresses liquid volume in the standard SI units of liters and milliliters. Most American measuring cups also measure liquid in the older system of cups and ounces.
Volumetric Glassware
Scientists who work in a laboratory must be familiar with typical laboratory glassware, often called volumetric glassware. These may include beakers, a volumetric flask, an Erlenmeyer flask, and a graduated cylinder. Each of these containers is used in a laboratory setting to measure liquid volumes for different purposes.
Laboratory volumetric glassware: Glassware, such as these beakers, is commonly used in a laboratory setting to conveniently measure and separate different volumes of liquids.