Working out radius of sphere using Mass&Density

In summary, the conversation is about a student trying to solve a problem involving mass, density, and volume. They provide their attempt at a solution and ask for help with the units. The expert recommends converting the density into kg/m3 before continuing with the calculations. The student also asks for clarification on why the expert wants them to convert to km when the final unit should be in meters.
  • #1
eggman100
21
0

Homework Statement


Using mass = 2.473x10^23kg and Density = 7.481g/cm^3 work out the radius of said sphere,

Homework Equations



D=M/V
4/3∏r^3

The Attempt at a Solution



D=M/V
DV=M
V=M/D

Mass = 2.473x10^23kg
V=2.473x10^23kg / 7.481g/cm^3
V=2.473x10^23kg / 0.007481kg/cm^3

V= 3.31x10^24 cm
V= 3.31x10^22 km

Vol of sphere = 4/3∏r^3

3√(3.31x10^22/(4/3∏)) = 19918033Km

I assume I have a massive problem in my calculations (I think there's a problem where i changed the 7.481g/cm^3 into 0.007481kg/cm^3) but I'm still pretty unsure about that one, since my answer at the end is in kilograms and the units i used when changing the decimal is in cm^3, I think that's my problem but I'm not sure)

Thanks

><

Tried to change it into kg/km^3 and i got 2.473x10^23kg / 748.1

then cube-root((3.31x10^20)/(4/3Pi) to get 4291210 km, still unsure =/

><

Changed it :

(2.473x10^23kg) / (7.481g/cm^3) into

(2.473 x 10^23kg) / (0.007481kg/cm^3) noting that it is CM(i remembered at the end ;) )

3.666622109x10^25cm <--- 4/3PiR^3

divide
3.666622109x10^25cm by 4/3Pi then
cuberoot to get:
206091073.4 CM(!) / 100 to get meters (=)
2060910.734 M / 1000 to get KM (=)
2060.910734 KM -
rounded to 2061km (4.S.F)

I hope that's right, it seems reasonably accurate,
 
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  • #2
Check again on units. When you have units like cm^3, if you want to go to km^3, the conversion is not the same as going from cm to km (you can check this by typing "cm^3 to km^3" vs. "cm to km" in google).
 
  • #3
Encephalon said:
Check again on units. When you have units like cm^3, if you want to go to km^3, the conversion is not the same as going from cm to km (you can check this by typing "cm^3 to km^3" vs. "cm to km" in google).

but then on my calculator i get 2.060910734 x 10^-7 <--- I don't understand if I have a volume of 206091073.4cm^3, how that can turn into a small decimal number for the radius in kilometers, especially when the mass is 2.473x10^23, its nothing like a neutron star, just a regular planet, so i don't really agree =$

><

Google wanted to give me:

(2.47300 x ((10^23) kg)) / (7.48100 (g / (cm^3))) = 3.30570779 × 10^19 m^3

so it would be: cube-root( 3.30570779 × 10^19 m^3 / (4/3Pi) )

to get: 1990942.041meters /1000 =

1990.942041km, dividing by 1k because it isn't km^3 its km, like you said, radius isn't squared or cubed, just power1
 
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  • #4
to convert g/cm3 to kg/m3

[itex](\frac{7.481g}{cm^3})[/itex]([itex]\frac{1Kg}{1000g}[/itex])([itex]\frac{100cm}{1m}[/itex])([itex]\frac{100cm}{1m}[/itex])([itex]\frac{100cm}{1m}[/itex])
 
  • #5
e^(i Pi)+1=0 said:
to convert g/cm3 to kg/m3

[itex](\frac{7.481g}{cm^3})[/itex]([itex]\frac{1Kg}{1000g}[/itex])([itex]\frac{100cm}{1m}[/itex])([itex]\frac{100cm}{1m}[/itex])([itex]\frac{100cm}{1m}[/itex])

I'm sorry but that really doesn't help me solve my problem, I don't understand what you said, I mean all I wanted to do was convert the

M/D into Kg (top/bottom) and km^3 from cm^3 at the bottom,

and then just divide by 4/3∏ then 3√ to get my answer in Km's, but it just wasn't happening, any ideas?><

http://blip.tv/chemteam/converting-between-g-cm3-and-kg-m3-3101296 - but it isn't km^3 just m^3
 
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  • #6
I didn't really follow what you did because it's too much work. I was showing you how to convert your density into kg/m3 because it's always better to convert your units first. So just do that and it's a very simple problem.

It's the same as converting grams/cm to kg/m except since it's cm3 (because it's volume) I need to put the conversion factor (100cm=1m) 3 times so I end up with meters3.

http://youtu.be/XKCZn5MLKvk

Why do you want to convert it to km anyway?
 
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FAQ: Working out radius of sphere using Mass&Density

How do you calculate the radius of a sphere using mass and density?

The formula for calculating the radius of a sphere using mass and density is:

radius = (3 * mass) / (4 * pi * density)

What units should be used for mass and density when calculating the radius of a sphere?

Mass should be measured in kilograms (kg) and density should be measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m^3) for the formula to work correctly.

Can you use this formula for any type of sphere?

Yes, this formula can be used for any type of sphere, regardless of its composition or size.

How accurate is this method of calculating the radius of a sphere?

The accuracy of this method depends on the accuracy of the measurements for mass and density. The more precise the measurements, the more accurate the calculated radius will be.

Are there any other methods to determine the radius of a sphere?

Yes, there are other methods such as measuring with a ruler or using the formula for volume (V = (4/3) * pi * radius^3) and solving for the radius. However, using mass and density is a more efficient and accurate method.

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