Capacity and Volume
Capacity is how much a container can hold, while volume is the space an object occupies or the amount of liquid inside.
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- capacity and volume
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- capacity vs volume, volume and capacity difference, measuring capacity, litres and millilitres
Capacity refers to the maximum amount a container can hold, typically a liquid or gas. Think of a bottle's capacity as how much water it can contain when full. It's about the internal space available. Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space an object occupies or the amount of liquid or gas within a container. If you fill a bottle with water, the volume is the actual amount of water *in* the bottle, which might be less than its full capacity. Both are measured in units like litres (L) and millilitres (mL), where 1 litre equals 1000 millilitres. For solids, volume can also be measured in cubic units like cubic centimetres (cm³) or cubic metres (m³). Understanding the difference is key for problems involving filling containers, measuring ingredients, or comparing liquid amounts in 11+ maths.
Examples
A water bottle
Its capacity is 500 mL (how much it *can* hold). If it's half-full, the volume of water inside is 250 mL.
A swimming pool
The capacity is the total amount of water it can hold when full. The volume of water currently in it might be less if it's not completely filled.
A juice carton
The label states its capacity, e.g., 1 litre. The volume of juice inside is usually equal to its capacity when new.
Quick Answers
What is the main difference between capacity and volume?
Capacity is the maximum a container can hold, while volume is the actual space occupied by a substance or object.
What units are used for capacity and volume?
Common units include litres (L) and millilitres (mL) for liquids, and cubic centimetres (cm³) or cubic metres (m³) for solids.
Why is this important for 11+ exams?
11+ maths often includes problems requiring you to calculate or compare volumes and capacities, especially in word problems.