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Sample Task #2: Computing Volume and Weight

Ask the apprentice to compute the volume of the liquid in a rectangular tank.

  • Measure the inside dimensions (length, width and actual depth of the liquid) to the nearest eighth of an inch.

  • Multiply length, width and height to get volume in cubic inches.
    V = L x W x D = 10 x 15 3/4 x 28 = 4410 in3
  • Convert the volume in in3 to ft3, lb and gal. (Assume that the liquid is distilled water.)

    There are 12" x 12" x 12" = 1728 in3 so the volume in cubic feet is V = (4410 in3) ÷ (1728 in3) = 2.552 ft3.

    One cubic foot of water weighs 62.4 pounds so Weight = (2.552 ft3) x (62.4 lb/ ft3) = 159.25 pounds.

    The volume can be converted to gallons using (159.25 lb) ÷ (8.34 lb/gal) = 19.1 gallons.

  • Calculate the weight of the liquid in the tank if it were oil with a specific gravity of 0.9233.

    159.25 lb x 0.9233 = 147.04 pounds

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