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How to Make a Simple Volume Tube to Measure Volume

Volume is the measure of how much space an object occupies. The formula for finding volume is mass multiplied by density. Volume, mass and density are all interconnected properties of matter. For example, by contrast, the formula for finding density is mass multiplied by volume. The density of water is 1 gram per milliliter. If you own a digital food scale, it is possible to use this information to make a simple, crude volume tube to measure volume using items you probably have just lying around your home.

Things You'll Need

Clear cylinder canister tube
Measuring tape
Digital food scale
Permanent marker

Instructions

- 1
  Place the canister on the scale. Make a note of the canister̵7;s weight. Some digital food scales allow you to reset the measurement reading to zero after placing a container on the scale. If you are using a scale that is equipped with this type of feature, reset the measurement reading to zero.
- 2
  Slowly pour water into the canister. Stop when the scale reads 10 grams heavier than the measurement you noted in Step 1. If you reset the reading to zero, simply stop when the scale reads 10 grams.
- 3
  Use a thin permanent marker to mark the precise spot on the canister where the water level is.
- 4
  Pour the water out of the canister.
- 5
  Use the measuring tape to measure the distance from the bottom of the canister to the water level mark. Make a note of the result. This distance is the equivalent of 10 milliliters on this canister.
- 6
  Measure from the last mark on the canister to the distance you recorded in Step 5. Place a new mark at this spot. Keep repeating. Stop when you come to the top of the canister.
- 7
  Label the first mark 10 mL. Label the second mark 20 mL. Label the third mark 30 mL. And so forth. You now have a very simple, makeshift measuring tube.

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