What is the Difference Between Volume and Capacity?

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The main difference between volume and capacity lies in what they represent. Volume indicates the total amount of space covered by an object in three-dimensional space, while capacity refers to the ability of something (like a solid substance, gas, or liquid) to hold, absorb, or receive by an object. Here are some key differences between volume and capacity:

  • Meaning: Volume is the measure of the space occupied by a substance, while capacity is the maximum amount of substance that an object can contain.
  • Units of Measurement: Volume is measured in cubic units, such as cubic centimeters (cm³) and cubic meters (m³). Capacity, on the other hand, is measured in metric units like liters (L) and milliliters (mL), or customary units like pints, cups, and quarts.
  • Objects: Both solid and hollow objects have volume, while only hollow objects have capacity.
  • Examples: Examples of volume include the space occupied by a cube, cuboid, cone, or cylinder. Examples of capacity include the amount of liquid a cone, cylinder, or hollow hemisphere can hold.

To summarize, volume is the measure of space taken up by an object, while capacity is the measure of how much a container or object can hold in terms of a substance, such as solid, liquid, or gas.

Comparative Table: Volume vs Capacity

The difference between volume and capacity can be summarized in the following table:

Volume Capacity
Refers to the amount of space occupied by an object in three-dimensional space. Refers to the maximum amount of a substance that a container can hold.
Indicates the total amount of space covered by an object. Represents the ability of a hollow object to hold a substance, such as a solid, liquid, or gas.
Measured in cubic units, such as cubic centimeters, cubic meters, and cubic liters. Measured in metric units, such as milliliters, liters, or gallons.
Volume can vary depending on the shape of the object. Capacity cannot be altered, as it is determined by the container's shape and size.