3. Liquid Materials: Investigation 3.2
How can we measure the volume of a liquid?
1. Ask the question
All Class 5 Mins
Show the class the two covered containers that are filled to different levels with water.
- Which container has a greater volume of water?
- Exactly how much greater is the volume of water in one container than another?
Listen to how students compare the volumes in the absence of units of measure. They may say things like "Only a little more," "About an inch more," "Maybe three bottle caps more," "Half again as much."
As students wrestle with the need for a standard unit of measure, introduce the investigation question:
How can we measure the volume of a liquid?
Let students brainstorm ideas then, as the ideas run out, give each student a centimeter cube.
