Measuring Capacity (Grade 2)
Capacity means how much liquid a container can hold. A glass can hold some water, a bucket can hold more water, and a tank can hold the most water.
In Class 2, we learn to measure capacity using litres (L) and millilitres (mL). This helps us understand how much juice is in a bottle or how much water fills a bucket.
What is Measuring Capacity - Class 2 Maths (Measurement (Grade 2))?
Capacity is the amount of liquid a container can hold when it is full.
- Litre (L) — used for larger amounts of liquid (a water bottle, a bucket)
- Millilitre (mL) — used for smaller amounts of liquid (a spoon of medicine, a small cup)
1 litre = 1000 millilitres
Types and Properties
Common capacities to remember:
| Container | Approximate Capacity |
|---|---|
| A teaspoon | 5 mL |
| A small glass | 200 mL |
| A water bottle | 500 mL or 1 L |
| A big bucket | 10 L to 20 L |
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Identifying Capacity
Question: Ria has a water bottle that holds 1 litre. How many millilitres is that?
Think:
- 1 litre = 1000 mL
Answer: The bottle holds 1000 mL of water.
Example 2: Example 2: Choosing the Right Unit
Question: Would you measure the water in a swimming pool in mL or L?
Think:
- A swimming pool holds a very large amount of water
- Litres are better for large amounts
Answer: We use litres (L) for a swimming pool.
Example 3: Example 3: Comparing Capacities
Question: A jug holds 2 litres. A glass holds 200 mL. Which holds more?
Think:
- Jug = 2 L = 2000 mL
- Glass = 200 mL
- 2000 mL > 200 mL
Answer: The jug holds more. It holds 1800 mL more than the glass.
Example 4: Example 4: Adding Capacities
Question: Aman pours 3 litres of water into a bucket and then adds 2 more litres. How much water is in the bucket now?
Think:
- First pour = 3 L
- Second pour = 2 L
- Total = 3 + 2 = 5 L
Answer: The bucket has 5 litres of water.
Example 5: Example 5: Medicine Dose
Question: The doctor says Priya must drink 5 mL of medicine twice a day. How much medicine does she drink in one day?
Think:
- Each dose = 5 mL
- Number of doses = 2
- Total = 5 + 5 = 10 mL
Answer: Priya drinks 10 mL of medicine in one day.
Example 6: Example 6: Filling Glasses
Question: A jug has 1 litre of juice. Each glass holds 250 mL. How many glasses can Dev fill?
Think:
- 1 litre = 1000 mL
- Each glass = 250 mL
- Number of glasses = 1000 ÷ 250 = 4
Answer: Dev can fill 4 glasses.
Example 7: Example 7: Estimating Capacity
Question: Neha thinks her tiffin box water bottle holds about 2 litres. She checks and it holds 500 mL. Was she right?
Think:
- Guess = 2 L = 2000 mL
- Actual = 500 mL
- 2000 mL is much more than 500 mL
Answer: No, Neha's guess was too high. Her bottle holds only 500 mL, which is half a litre.
Key Points to Remember
- Capacity is how much liquid a container can hold.
- We use litres (L) for large amounts and millilitres (mL) for small amounts.
- 1 litre = 1000 millilitres.
- A water bottle usually holds about 500 mL or 1 L.
- To compare capacities, use the same unit for both containers.
- Estimate first, then measure to improve your guessing skills.
Practice Problems
- A kettle holds 2 litres. How many millilitres is that?
- Would you use mL or L to measure the juice in a small cup?
- Aditi fills 3 glasses of water. Each glass holds 200 mL. How much water did she pour in total?
- A bucket holds 10 L. Kavi has used 6 L. How many litres are left?
- Which holds more — a 500 mL bottle or a 1 L bottle?
- Meera needs 1 litre of milk. She has 700 mL. How much more does she need?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is capacity?
Capacity is the amount of liquid a container can hold when it is completely full.
Q2. What is the difference between litres and millilitres?
A litre (L) is used for bigger amounts of liquid. A millilitre (mL) is used for very small amounts. 1 litre = 1000 millilitres.
Q3. How much is 1 litre?
1 litre is about the amount of water in a standard water bottle. It equals 1000 millilitres.
Q4. How do we measure capacity?
We use measuring cups, measuring jugs, or containers with markings that show litres or millilitres.
Q5. What holds about 1 litre of water?
A large water bottle, a milk packet, or a measuring jug filled to the 1 L mark holds about 1 litre.
Q6. Is capacity the same as volume?
Capacity and volume are similar. Capacity tells how much a container can hold. Volume tells how much space something takes up.
Q7. Why do we learn about capacity?
We use capacity in cooking (measuring water, milk), at the doctor (measuring medicine), and when buying liquids like juice or oil.
