Tilavuus

Tilavuus is a physical quantity that describes how much space a three-dimensional object or region occupies or can contain. It is a scalar measure that depends on the extent of space rather than the shape alone, and it is central to calculations in science, engineering and daily life.

Units and quantities. The SI unit for tilavuus is the cubic meter (m^3). Common submultiples and equivalents include liter (L) and milliliter (mL), with 1 L = 0.001 m^3 and 1 m^3 = 1000 L. For smaller volumes, cubic centimeters (cm^3) are equal to milliliters. Tilavuus can refer to the total space inside a solid or to the amount a container can hold.

Geometric and physical definitions. In geometry, tilavuus can be calculated from dimensions for regular shapes (for example, rectangular prism V = l × w × h; cube V = a^3; cylinder V = π r^2 h; sphere V = 4/3 π r^3). For pyramids and cones, V = (1/3) × base_area × height. For irregular objects, tilavuus is often determined by displacement of a liquid, based on Archimedes’ principle.

Measurement and relationships. Volume relates to density through the equation ρ = m/V. Temperature and pressure can affect the volume of gases and, to a lesser extent, the volume of liquids due to thermal expansion.

Applications and distinctions. Tilavuus is essential in science, engineering, packaging, shipping, medicine and cooking. It is distinct from kapasiteetti, which more specifically describes how much a container can hold, often including practical margins.

See also concepts include density, specific volume and molar volume.