What is the best method for measuring the volume of an irregularly shaped object?

Using water displacement is the most effective method for measuring the volume of an irregularly shaped object because it directly accounts for the space that the object occupies. This technique involves submerging the object in a graduated cylinder or a similar container filled with water. As the object is placed into the water, it displaces an amount of water equal to its own volume. The change in water level can be precisely measured, which provides an accurate determination of the object's volume.

Other methods, such as calculating dimensions, may only be effective for regular geometrical shapes. Submerging in mercury, while it would also displace fluid, is not commonly practiced due to mercury's toxicity and the potential hazards associated with handling it. Weighing the object on a scale determines mass but does not directly provide volume measurement, especially for irregular shapes where density varies. Hence, the water displacement method stands out as the most practical and reliable approach for this scenario.