Properties of Geometric Solids

Geometric Solids
Solids are threedimensional objects. In sketching, twodimensional shapes are used to create the illusion of threedimensional solids.

Properties of Solids
Volume, mass, weight, density, and surface area are properties that all solids possess. These properties are used by engineers and manufacturers to determine material type, cost, and other factors associated with the design of objects.

Volume
Volume (V) refers to the amount of threedimensional space occupied by an object or enclosed within a container.

Metric cubic centimeter (cc)

English System cubic inch (in.3)

Volume of a Cube
A cube has sides (s) of equal length.

The formula for calculating the volume (V) of a cube is:

V=

3 s
V= s3 V= 4 in. x 4 in. x 4 in. V = 64 in.3

Volume of a Rectangular Prism

A rectangular prism has at least one side that is different in length from the other two. The sides are identified as width (w), depth (d), and height (h).

Volume of Rectangular Prism

The formula for calculating the volume (V) of a rectangular prism is:

V = wdh
V= wdh V= 4 in. x 5.25 in. x 2.5 in.

V = 52.5 in.3

Volume of a Cylinder
To calculate the volume of a cylinder, its radius (r) and height (h) must be known. The formula for calculating the volume (V) of a cylinder is:

V = r2h
V= r2h V= 3.14 x (1.5 in.)2 x 6 in. V = 42.39 in.3

Volume of a Cone
The formula for calculating the volume (V) of a cone is: 1.50 r2 h V= 3 (0.75 in.) (2.00 in.) V= 3 3 V = 1.18 in. 2

Formula Sheet

Mass
Mass (M) refers to the quantity of matter in an object. It is often confused with the concept of weight in the SI system.

SI gram (g)

U S Customary System slug

Weight
Weight (W) is the force of gravity acting on an object. It is often confused with the concept of mass in the U S Customary System.
U S Customary System Newton pound (N) (lb) SI

Mass vs. Weight

Contrary to popular practice, the terms mass and weight are not interchangeable and do not represent the same concept.

W = mg
weight = mass x acceleration due to gravity (lbs) (slugs) (ft/sec2) g = 32.16 ft/sec2

Mass vs. Weight

An object, whether on the surface of the earth, in orbit, or on the surface of the moon, still has the same mass. However, the weight of the same object will be different in all three instances because the magnitude of gravity is different.

Mass vs. Weight

Each measurement system has fallen prey to erroneous cultural practices. In the SI system, a persons weight is typically recorded in kilograms when it should be recorded in Newtons. In the U S Customary System, an objects mass is typically recorded in pounds when it should be recorded in slugs.

Density
Mass Density (Dm) is an objects mass per unit volume.
SI System grams per cubic centimeter (lb/in.3)

Weight density (Dw) is an objects weight per unit volume.

U S Customary System pounds per cubic inch (lb/in.3)

Examples of Density
Material
Apples Water (Pure)

Water (Sea) Ice Concrete Aluminum Steel (1018) Gold

Mass Density (g/cm3) 0.64 1.00 1.03 0.92 2.40 2.71 7.8 19.32

Weight Density (lb/in.3) 0.023 0.036 0.037 0.034 0.087 0.098 0.282 0.698

Calculating Mass
To calculate the mass (m) of any solid, its volume (V) and mass density (Dm) must be known.

m = VDm
Dm (aluminum) = 2.8 g/cm3

m = VDm m = (3.81cm)(8.89 cm)(17.28 cm)(2.71 g/cm3)

m = 1598.62 g = 1.59862 kg

Calculating Weight
To calculate the weight (W) of any solid, its volume (V) and weight density (Dw) must be known.

W = VDw
Dw (aluminum) = 0.098 lb/in.3

W = VDw W = 36.75 in.3 x .098 lb/in.3

W = 3.60 lb

Area vs. Surface Area

There is a distinction between area (A) and surface area (SA). Area describes the measure of the twodimensional space enclosed by a shape. Surface area is the sum of all the areas of the faces of a three-dimensional solid.

Calculating Surface Area

In order to calculate the surface area (SA) of a rectangular prism, the area (A) of each faces must be known and added together.
Area A = 3 in. x 4 in. = 12 in.2
B C A D E F

Area B = 4 in. x 8 in. = 32 in.2

Area C = 3 in. x 8 in. = 24 in.2 Area D = 4 in. x 8 in. = 32 in.2 Area E = 3 in. x 8 in. = 24 in.2

Area F = 3 in. x 4 in. = 12 in.2

Surface Area = 136 in.2

Calculating Surface Area

Another way to represent the formula for surface area of a rectangular prism is given on the formula sheet.

Calculating Surface Area

Surface Area = 2 [(8 in.)(4 in.) + (8 in.)(3 in.) + (4 in.)(3 in.)]

= 136 in.2

Surface Area Calculations

What is the Surface Area of this rectangular prism?

SA = 2(wd + wh + dh)
SA = 2[(4.00 in.)(5.25 in.) + (4.00 in.)(2.50 in.) + (5.25 in.)(2.5 in.)]

SA = 2 [44.125 in.2]
SA = 88.25 in.2

Calculating Surface Area

In order to calculate the surface area (SA) of a cube, the area (A = s2) of any one of its faces must be known. The formula for calculating the surface area (SA) of a cube is:

SA = 6s2
SA = 6 (4.00 in.)2
SA = 96.00 in.2

Surface Area Calculations

In order to calculate the surface area (SA) of a cylinder, the area of the curved face and the combined area of the circular faces must be known. SA = (2r)h + 2(r2)
SA = 2()(1.50 in.)(6.00 in.) + 2()(1.50 in.)2 SA = 56.52 in.2 + 14.13 in.2 SA = 70.65 in.2