How To Use Water Displacement To Calculate Volume

Measuring the volume of an irregularly shaped object using geometry is often difficult and complicated. The easiest way to do this is by using the water displacement method. Often taught in chemistry or other science classes, this method is known for its simplicity and accuracy. You'll just need to have the right equipment.

Step 1

Find a graduated cylinder or measuring cup large enough to hold the object being measured.

Step 2

Fill the graduated cylinder with adequate water. When placed in the cylinder, the object must be fully submerged in the water. Also, be careful not to put in so much water that the water level will rise past the graduated cylinder's markings when the object is submerged.

Step 3

Record the volume of the water prior to submerging the object. Call this number "a." Make sure to read the bottom of the meniscus, the curved water-level line, when calculating volume.

Step 4

Place the object in the graduated cylinder, and record the resulting water volume as "b."

Step 5

Subtract the volume of the water alone from the volume of the water plus the object. For instance, if "b" was 50 milliliters and "a" was 25 milliliters, the volume of the irregularly shaped object would be 25 milliliters.