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It's your friend's birthday and you decide to bake them a cake.
You get out your grandma's best red velvet cake recipe and look over the ingredients.
They include:
4 fluid ounces of buttermilk
16 ounces of flour
You wonder: What is the difference between fluid ounces and "regular" ounces? Aren't they the same?
No, they're not the same, and yes, it matters! Knowing the difference between fluid ounces and ounces can make or break your cake.
Similiarities and Differences
Fluid Ounces
Measure the volume of a liquid
Ounces
Measure the weight of a substance
Fluid Ounces
How to measure fluid ounces:
Use a glass or plastic measuring cup for accuracy in recipes.
The best way to measure volume in chemistry-related tasks is with a graduated cylinder.
Quiz
Which of these would also be important to measure by fluid ounces so as to ensure accuracy? Select all that apply:
It's very important to measure liquid medicines by fluid ounces so that you take the right amount. That's why most liquid medications come with small measuring cups. It would also be helpful to measure the water for your coffee maker by fluid ounces because that would help your coffee turn out just right. Peanut butter and syrup are semi-solids and are best measured by their weight (ounces).
Ounces
Ounces are a measurement of weight.
Weight is the heaviness of something.
How to measure:
Use stacked measuring cups for larger amounts and measuring spoons for smaller amounts.
A food scale is another reliable option.
Take Action
Now that you know the difference between fluid ounces and ounces, you're on your way to cooking with more accuracy!
This Byte has been authored by
Mary Ellen D'Intino
Learning Designer | Licensed Social Worker
M.Ed., LSW