If you have a container with volume markings (like a jug marked in mL and cups), can it help you measure something by weight? Under what conditions would that be possible (hint: it works for certain ingredients like water, but not for others unless you know their density)?

Question

Can you use a measuring jug to measure by weight? Find out under what specific conditions this might be possible for certain ingredients like water.

Answer 1

Yes, a container with volume markings can help measure weight if you know the density of the substance you're measuring. This works perfectly for water because 1 mL of water weighs approximately 1 gram.

Detailed Explanation:

Volume and weight are related through density. Density is defined as mass (weight) per unit volume. The formula is:

Density = Mass / Volume

If you know the density of a substance and its volume, you can calculate its mass (weight) using the rearranged formula:

Mass = Density x Volume

For water, the density is approximately 1 gram per milliliter (1 g/mL) or 1 kilogram per liter (1 kg/L). Therefore, if you measure 250 mL of water in a marked container, you know you have approximately 250 grams of water.

However, this doesn't work directly for other substances unless you know their density. For example, oil has a density less than water (around 0.92 g/mL). So, 250 mL of oil will weigh less than 250 grams. Similarly, something like honey has a density greater than water (around 1.4 g/mL), so 250 mL of honey will weigh more than 250 grams.

To measure the weight of other substances using a volume-marked container, you need to know their density and perform the calculation: Mass = Density x Volume.

Pro Tip:

Always double-check the density of the substance you're measuring, as it can vary slightly depending on temperature and purity. For precise measurements, especially in baking or chemistry, it's best to use a kitchen scale or laboratory balance.