Volume vs. Capacity: Understanding Space and Liquid

The difference between capacity and volume can be a hard concept for students to understand. Display this clear and understandable poster to remind your students of the difference.

• Capacity is the amount of liquid a container can hold.
• Volume is how much space an object takes up.

How Students Can Visualise the Difference Between Volume and Capacity

It can be helpful to use a variety of different visuals to help students to see and understand the difference between volume and capacity.

• Capacity: Think of a water bottle or a cup—capacity is how much liquid they can hold.
• Volume: Think of a cube or ball—volume is the amount of space these objects occupy in the air, or the space they would displace in water.

More volume vs capacity activity ideas:

• Provide a list of containers (e.g., 100 mL, 500 mL, 1 L). Students must measure the capacity of each container using a measuring cup and record their findings.
• Fill a large graduated cylinder or a container with water. Drop an object (like a rock or toy) into the water and measure how much the water level rises. The difference in the water level tells you the volume of the object.
• Give students a variety of objects (e.g., a box, a balloon, a bottle). Ask them to predict the volume of the object and the capacity of the container. Afterward, students can use water or a measuring tool to verify their predictions.

Download and Display this Volume vs Capacity Poster

Use the drop down menu to choose between the easy to print PDF version or the editable Google Slide version of this poster.

Lindsey Phillips, a Teach Starter Collaborator, contributed to this resource.

More Capacity and Volume Resources

Are you looking for more resources to add to your lessons on capacity and volume? We have you covered…

[resource:4405356] [resource:3310590] [resource:12992]