Using the scroll bars, please centre the Surface Area and Volume Explorer in the window to your right.

The objective of this activity is explore volume. You will explore what happens to the volume of an object when one dimension is changed, you will estimate, compare and calculate volume of objects. To practice converting units from volume to mass or to capacity, please go to the section on Online Activities for Capacity/Mass/Time.

Materials: You will need to print the following worksheet to keep at the computer with you as you work through the activities.

• Work Sheet A (WORD format / PDF format)

Procedure:

1. Print off the worksheet. Follow these directions.
• Question One: You will need to know that the volume of an object is LxWxD. Please check your work using the Explorer.
• Question Two: You will need to know that the volume of a triangular prism is LxWxD/2. Please check your work using the Explorer.
• Question Three: Use the Explorer to help you manipulate the dimensions. Make sure you record your work on the worksheet.
• Question Four: Work through this chart. If you get have trouble finding patterns we offer the following hints:
  • When changing one dimension, what is the product of the remaining two dimension.
  • Calculate differences between numbers. Can you discover a pattern?
2. Complete the worksheet and hand it in to your instructor.

The Surface Area and Volume explorer was created by The Shodor Foundation.