What is volume?
The word “volume” has several different meanings. The most common definition is the magnitude or intensity of a certain sound. Volume may also refer to how much space a three-dimensional object takes up. However, in the always ambiguous realm of computers, the word volume can also refer to a specific data storage device. Some examples of volumes include hard disks, DVD drives, and flash memory drives, such as USB keychain drives. Your computer recognizes all these data storage devices as volumes. The only requirement is that each volume has a file system that the computer can recognize. The file system tells the computer how the folders and files are organized on the volume. On a Macintosh, all volumes connected to the computer (either directly or by a network connection) will show up on the desktop. For example, a hard drive will have a hard drive icon and a CD will have a CD icon. In Windows, you will find a list of all available volumes when you open “My Computer.
Matter is anything or any material that exists. Matter occupies space and has mass. Mass is the measure of the “stuff” of matter. Volume measures the space that matter occupies. Density measures how much “stuff” is in how much “space” or how tightly compacted matter is. Measuring volume isn’t always easy. Some objects have regular or uniform shapes. The volume of these objects can usually be measured with a formula. Other objects have irregular shapes. Their “space” or volume is often measured by a system called water displacement. A certain amount of water is placed in a container and the height of the water is marked. The “irregular” object is put into the water, and the object causes the water line to rise. This new water level is marked. When the object is removed from the water, the water line goes back to its original place. Measuring how much water is needed to meet the raised water line tells you the volume of the irregular object. The difference between the first line and the
