What is Volume

Volume is the amount of space that something occupies.

The basic SI unit of volume is the cubic meter.

One cubic meter is the space occupied by a cubic box 1 m x 1 m x 1 m.

Experiencing Volume

  1. Take a deep breath.
  2. As your lungs fill with air, you can feel your chest expand.
This change in your lung size is an increase in VOLUME.

For smaller volumes, a smaller unit is used, the cubic centimeter (cm3) is used.

Fluids (liquids and gases) are usually measured in litres.   A litre occupies the same space as a cube 10 cm on a side.  
Since 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm =1000 cm, there are 1000 cubic centimeters in a litre.  
1 thousandth of a liter is called a millilitre (ml) and occupies the same volume as one cm3.  
In other words, 1 cm3 = 1 ml.   A 1 liter bottle holds 1,000 ml or, put another way, 1,000 cm3.

One milliliter (ml) of water takes up the same amount of space as one cubic centimeter (cm3)