Two graduated cylinders, one filled with water to 20 millimeters and one containing a rock and water filled to 32 millimeters.

Use the image to determine the volume of the rock.

Initial volume:
mL

Final volume:
mL

Volume of rock:
cm3

1 answer

To determine the volume of the rock, we can use the water level readings from the graduated cylinders you mentioned.

  1. Initial Volume of Water: This is the water measurement in the first graduated cylinder before adding the rock. It is given as 20 milliliters (mL).

  2. Final Volume with Rock: This is the water level in the second graduated cylinder after adding the rock, which is 32 milliliters (mL).

  3. Volume of Rock Calculation: To find the volume of the rock, we subtract the initial volume from the final volume:

    \[ \text{Volume of Rock} = \text{Final Volume} - \text{Initial Volume} \]

    Plugging in the values we have:

    \[ \text{Volume of Rock} = 32 , \text{mL} - 20 , \text{mL} = 12 , \text{mL} \]

Since 1 mL is equivalent to 1 cm³, we can conclude that the volume of the rock is:

\[ \text{Volume of Rock} = 12 , \text{cm}^3 \]

So to summarize:

  • Initial volume: 20 mL
  • Final volume: 32 mL
  • Volume of rock: 12 cm³