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A cubic centimeter (cm3) is a fundamental unit of volume in the metric system.
It is equal to one-thousandth of a liter. The plural form is cubic centimeters.
A cubic centimeter is exactly equal to one milliliter (1 cm3 = 1 mL).
Because they are identical, converting between cm3 and mL is a simple one-to-one conversion.
This crucial equivalence is widely used in science, particularly in chemistry and medicine, as well as in everyday tasks like cooking.
The abbreviation "cc" is a common substitute for cubic centimeters, especially in the medical and automotive fields.
In Medicine: A cc is used to measure dosages of liquid medicine for injections. For example, a syringe labeled "10cc" can hold 10 cubic centimeters (or 10 mL) of fluid.
In Automotive: In the car world, cc refers to an engine's displacement—the total volume of all its cylinders. A "1500cc engine" has cylinders that can displace 1500 cubic centimeters of air and fuel.
To visualize the volume of a single cubic centimeter, imagine a small cube with each side measuring exactly 1 centimeter in length, width, and height.
This is about the size of a standard sugar cube or a small die used in board games.
Understanding this physical size helps in estimating volumes and appreciating the unit's scale in practical situations.