Using a vernier caliper and graduated cylinder, how would one go about determining the aggregate volume, the diameter and radius of a group of M & M candies shown in these photos? I'm doing a physics lab and I have to find the volume (cm^3), dimater (cm), radius (cm) using a vernier caliper and graduated cylinder. I'm having a really hard time doing this and any help would be appreciated. (1 ml = 1 cm3). Here are some photos of the lab: http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/3114/118dq.jpg http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7420/118bm.jpg http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7986/118cw.jpg

Expert Answers

| Certified Educator

The photographs you provided depict what appear to be M & M candies. My assumption is that you are tasked with determining the combined volume of the candies in cubic centimeters, plus the diameter and radius of an individual candy.

First, use the calipers to measure the diameter of several candies. They should all be about the same…but take an average of 10 or 12.

Then, determine the radius by dividing the diameter by 2.

Finally, to determine the combined volume, partially fill the graduated cylinder with water and record the volume in cubic centimeters. Add the candies and record the new volume. The volume of the candies is the difference.

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