EXERCISE 53 



HOW CAN WATER BE USED IN FINDING THE VOLUME OF AN IRREGULAR SOLID? 



Materials. A graduated cylinder ; an irregularly shaped stone ; a small cord or wire. 



Directions. Fill a graduated (metric) cylinder about half full of water and read accurately the 

 volume of water. Suspend a small stone by means of a thread or fine wire and lower it into the 

 water. Again take the reading, and record. What is the volume of the stone in cubic centimeters ? 



Additional problems. Test the accuracy of the above experiment by use of objects of regular form 

 which may be measured both as directed above and by linear metric measurements. 



Determine the approximate volume of a large, irregular body as follows : Place a glass dish in a 

 larger dish or jar. Completely fill the inner dish with water, but do not allow it to overflow. Slowly 

 lower the body to be measured into the water, making certain that all overflow water is caught in the 

 outer jar. Measure the overflow water in a graduated cylinder. What is the approximate volume of 

 the object ? What are the sources of error in this method of measurement ? 



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