Question

You are trying to find the volume of odd-shaped objects by dropping them into a graduated cylinder filled with water. The picture on the left is the graduated cylinder with water, and the picture on the right is after you dropped your object in. What is the volume of this object?

A. Formation of a precipitate
B. Formation of gas (without heat)
C. Color change
D. None of the above

Answer 1

The volume of an irregular shaped object can be obtained by noting the difference in water levels in a graduated cylinder before and after submerging the object. Answer choices A, B, C, and D all describe changes indicative of chemical reactions and are unrelated to finding an object's volume.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks for the volume of an irregular shaped object, which can be found by submerging the object in a graduated cylinder filled with water. The initial water level and the water level after submerging the object are noted, and the difference in these two levels gives the volume of the object, based on the water displacement method. This physical change occurs because the object displaces an amount of water equal to its volume as it sinks due to being denser than water. This concept is sometimes referred to by Archimedes' principle.

To measure the volume, steps are as follows:

1. Record the initial water level in the graduated cylinder.
2. Submerge the object into the cylinder with water.
3. Record the new water level after the object has been submerged.
4. The difference in water levels is the volume of the submerged object.

None of the answer choices A, B, C, or D describe the volume of the object because they relate to indications of a chemical change, which is not relevant to the question.