Difference Between Mass and Volume

Difference Between Mass and Volume

What is the difference between mass and volume? Thinking about either term brings a lot to mind. They hold great value in everyday life scenarios. Thus, awareness regarding their importance is needed. One must be able to differentiate between the two.

Well, this article will be your quickest way to telling the two apart. You must already know a little about both. Reading this will make your understanding a bit better. However, thinking about their dissimilarity doesn’t disregard their legitimate relation.

Truth be told, in the event that you know one of the above two estimations of any object, you would then be able to figure the unknown with a few mathematical calculations. However, our focus will be on the difference between mass and volume.

Definition of Mass

Mass is computation of packed material that an article contains (irrespective of physical-state). It’s frequently estimated in kilograms (kg) and grams (g), and it’s a consistent amount that doesn’t change, paying little respect to where an item is. Specifically, an article’s mass continues as before despite it being here, on Saturn, or simply coasting through the abyss.

Moreover, mass is autonomous of size, implying that however a shot-put ball and rubber ball are about a similar size; the shot-put ball has a more noteworthy mass. A good understanding of this explanation is sure to help grasp the difference between volume and mass.

Definition of Volume

Volume is computation of occupied spatial-space in 3D. Volumes are quantified in literals (L), milliliters (ml), cubic meter (m3) or cubic centimeter (cm3) depending upon physical-state. One may compute this variable in numerous ways.

Methodology ranges from obtaining accurate spatial measures to crude estimates. Surprisingly, an interesting incident is also related to this variable, which involves the famous philosopher Archimedes, who utilized the volume-displacement principle to determine if the king’s crown was made of pure gold or not.

This later came to be known as Archimedes’ principle, which in short dictates that the volume of fluid displaced by a submerged object is equivalent to the object’s volume.

Mass vs Volume Comparison Table

This table will help in reviewing the difference between mass and volume.

Basis of Comparison Mass Volume  
Meaning Computation of substance/matter packed within Calculation of spatial space in 3D
SI unit kg L
Formula  Yes; Mass=Density.Volume Yes; Volume=Mass/Density
Derived No Yes
Affected by  None Heat and Pressure (to some extent most notably in fluids)  

Conclusion of the Main Difference Between Mass vs Volume

What is the difference between volume and mass? Both terms are applicable in terms of daily life tasks. Therefore, it is essential to know that they not only differ but are also related too. By dividing them, we achieve a quantity called “density” which is denoted by “ρ” (pronounced “rho”).

Such a mathematical operation on the terms has various usages of itself. As the value we achieve has its own importance in modern day situations. Well, to summarize things up we should be aware of appropriate applicability of each term. Hopefully, now any ambiguity regarding what’s the difference between mass and volume is sufficiently cleared.