volume (amount of physical bulk)Volume (symbolized V ) is a three-dimensional quantity representing amount or extent of physical bulk. The standard unit of volume in the International System ( SI ) is the meter cubed (m 3 ). Volume is usually measured or defined in Euclidean (flat) three-space in Newtonian (non-relativistic) physics. We might speak of the volume of a particle, the volume of a sample of liquid or gas, or the volume of the earth. In relativistic physics, volume is determined for non-Euclidean (curved) three-space. In the case of certain complex or esoteric objects, volume might be impossible to define or measure. One example is a mathematical object having a fractional number of dimensions. Another example is an object without a well-defined surface. When expressing large or small volumes, prefix multiplier s are attached to the meter cubed. The table below shows the most common alternative volume units and their relationship to the meter cubed.
Unit
(and symbol) | To convert to meters
cubed, multiply by: | Conversely,
multiply by: | | kilometer cubed (km 3 ) | 10 9 | 10 -9 | | centimeter cubed (cm 3 ) | 10 -6 | 10 6 | | millimeter cubed (mm 3 ) | 10 -9 | 10 9 | | foot cubed (ft 3 ) | 0.0283 | 35.3 | micrometer cubed or
micron cubed (µ 3 ) | 10 -18 | 10 18 | | nanometer cubed (nm 3 ) | 10 -27 | 10 27 | | Angström squared (Ä 3 ) | 10 -30 | 10 30 |
Compare displacement , and area . Also see meter , meter squared , meter cubed , and International System of Units ( SI ).
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| Last updated on:
Sep 21, 2005 |
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