Measuring cup for cooking, using standardized units of measurement.
Volume is a derived unit of measurement that tells how much space is occupied by a gas, liquid or solid. The tools used to measure volume are typically measured containers, using standards set forth by the (BIPM) Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (International Bureau of Weights and Measures). Since volume is the product of the lengths of an object in three dimensions, tools for measurement of volume are also those used to measure linear dimensions (ruler, measuring tape and so on).
U.S. Household Measurement Tools
American household tools for measuring volumes used in cooking and combining chemicals are the "cup" and multiples or portions of the cup. One cup is equal to 8 oz., 16 tbsp., or 48 tsp.; 2 cups are equal to 1 pt.; 4 cups are equal to 1 qt.; 16 cups are equal to 1 gallon. The gallon measuring tool is used to measure large volumes, such as sizes of buckets and sizes of swimming pools.
Metric Units and Household Measuring Tools
The standard unit of measurement of household liquid volume in the metric system is the liter. Measuring tools are in multiples and fractions of the liter. One liter is equivalent to approximately 4.23 cups. Milliliters (ml) are used to measure small volumes. One ml is equal to 1 cubic centimeter (cc). The cc is also the standard unit of measurement for volume in medical applications in the U.S. Metric measuring spoons and cups are marked in ml, centiliters (cl) and deciliters (dl).
Other Common U.S. Units of Volume
Petroleum is measured in barrels. One barrel is equal to 42 U.S. gallons. The volume of a refrigerator is measured in cubic feet. Compressed gasses, such as propane, are also measured in cubic feet. Measurement of dry commodities or produce such as fruits, vegetables or grains is in bushels, equal to 2150.42 cubic inches or about 9.3 U.S. gallons. Firewood is sold in "cords;" 1 cord is equal to 128 cubic feet.
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