A Fractional Volume Calculator is a tool use to determine the proportion of a smaller volume relative to a larger, total volume. It calculates the ratio of a part to the whole, expressing this relationship as a simple fraction, decimal, or percentage. This calculation is fundamental in many fields. For example, in chemistry, it is use to describe the concentration of a substance in a solution (volume fraction). In engineering and materials science, it helps define the composition of a mixture, such as the amount of aggregate in concrete. Consequently, this calculator provides a clear and standardized way to understand and communicate the composition of any system based on its volumetric parts.
formula of Fractional Volume Calculator
The formula to calculate the fractional volume is a direct ratio of the component’s volume to the total volume.
Fractional Volume = Volume of Part / Total Volume
Where:
- Volume of Part = The volume of the specific component or region you are interest in.
- Total Volume = The complete volume of the container, system, or mixture.
To express the result as a percentage, you simply multiply the fractional volume by 100.
Fractional Volume of a Partially Filled Cylinder
This table shows the fractional volume for a vertically oriented cylindrical tank based on its fill height. This is useful for quickly estimating inventory in tanks and silos. It assumes the tank is a perfect cylinder.Fill Height (as a fraction of total height) Fractional Volume of Cylinder Percentage Volume 1/4 Full 1/4 25% 1/3 Full 1/3 33.3% 1/2 Full 1/2 50% 2/3 Full 2/3 66.7% 3/4 Full 3/4 75%
Example of Fractional Volume Calculator
A materials engineer is preparing a sample of a polymer composite. The total volume of the composite mold is 500 cubic centimeters (cm³).
Step 1: Identify the volumes of the individual components.
- Volume of the polymer resin (Part 1): 350 cm³
- Volume of the reinforcing carbon fibers (Part 2): 150 cm³
- Total Volume = 350 cm³ + 150 cm³ = 500 cm³
Step 2: Calculate the fractional volume of the polymer resin.
Fractional Volume (Resin) = Volume of Part / Total Volume
Fractional Volume (Resin) = 350 / 500 = 0.7
Step 3: Calculate the fractional volume of the carbon fibers.
Fractional Volume (Fibers) = Volume of Part / Total Volume
Fractional Volume (Fibers) = 150 / 500 = 0.3
Therefore, the fractional volume of the resin is 0.7 (or 70%), and the fractional volume of the carbon fibers is 0.3 (or 30%).
Most Common FAQs
Fractional volume is the direct ratio of the part to the whole, expressed as a decimal or a simple fraction (e.g., 0.25 or 1/4). Percentage volume is the fractional volume multiplied by 100 to express the value as a part of 100 (e.g., 25%). Both represent the same proportion, just in different formats.
For the ratio to be correct and meaningful, both the “Volume of Part” and the “Total Volume” must be measured in the same units (e.g., both in liters, or both in cubic meters). If the units are the same, they cancel each other out in the calculation, leaving a dimensionless fraction. Using different units will produce an incorrect result.
In chemistry, the term “volume fraction” (often written as v/v) is used to specify the concentration of a substance in a mixture, particularly for liquid solutions. For example, a 40% v/v ethanol solution means that 40% of the final solution’s volume is made up of ethanol.