Unit conversions – litres contained in one cubic metre of water In basic engineering units, one cubic metre (1 m^3) of water corresponds to how many litres?

Introduction:
Unit fluency prevents costly mistakes in design and billing. Converting between cubic metres and litres is especially common in water supply, irrigation, and laboratory settings. This question asks for the exact litre equivalent of a cubic metre.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• SI base and derived units are used.
• 1 litre is defined as 1 cubic decimetre (1 dm^3).
• No temperature correction is required for volume units in this ideal conversion.

Concept / Approach:

By definition, 1 m = 10 dm. Therefore 1 m^3 = (10 dm)^3 = 1000 dm^3. Since 1 dm^3 = 1 L, it follows that 1 m^3 = 1000 L. This conversion is exact and independent of the substance occupying the volume (water, air, etc.).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Utility bills and water meters often list consumption in cubic metres; multiplying by 1000 gives litres directly (e.g., 2.5 m^3 = 2500 L), confirming the exact ratio.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

100, 250, 500: Underestimate by factors of 10–4.10,000: Overestimates by a factor of 10.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing mass and volume equivalences (e.g., 1 L of water ≈ 1 kg near room temperature) and applying them when the question asks only about volume units.

Final Answer:

1000 litres