Presentation Name Course Name

Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name

Geometric Solids

Solids are three-

dimensional objects.
• In sketching, two-
dimensional shapes are
used to create the
illusion of three-
Properties of Geometric Solids dimensional solids.

Introduction to Engineering Design © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Properties of Solids Volume

Volume, mass, weight, density, and surface Volume (V) refers to the amount of three-
area are properties that all solids possess. dimensional space occupied by an object or
These properties are used by engineers and enclosed within a container.
manufacturers to determine material type,
cost, and other factors associated with the
design of objects.
Metric English System
cubic cubic inch
centimeter (in.3)
(cc)

Volume of a Cube Volume of a Rectangular Prism

A cube has sides (s) of equal length. A rectangular prism has at least one side
that is different in length from the other
The formula for calculating the volume (V) of two.
a cube is:
The sides are identified as width (w), depth
(d), and height (h).
V = s3
V= s3
V= 4.0 in. x 4.0 in. x 4.0 in.
V = 64 in.3

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010
1
Presentation Name Course Name
Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name

Volume of Rectangular Prism Volume of a Cylinder

The formula for calculating the volume (V) of To calculate the volume of a cylinder, its
a rectangular prism is: radius (r) and height (h) must be known.
• The formula for calculating the volume (V)
of a cylinder is:
V = wdh
V = r2h
V= wdh
V= r2h
V= 4.00 in. x 5.25 in. x 2.50 in.
V= 3.14 x (1.50 in.)2 x 6.00 in.
V = 52.5 in.3
V = 42.4 in.3

Volume of a Cone Formula Sheet

• The formula for calculating the volume (V)

of a cone is:
πr2 h 1.50
V=
3
π(0.75 in.)2 (2.00 in.)
V=
3

V = 1.18 in.3

Mass Weight

Mass (M) refers to the quantity of matter in Weight (W) is the force of gravity acting on
an object. It is often confused with the an object. It is often confused with the
concept of weight in the SI system. concept of mass in the U.S. Customary
System.

SI U.S. Customary SI U.S. Customary

System System
gram slug Newton pound
(g)
(N) (lb)

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010
2
Presentation Name Course Name
Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name

Mass vs. Weight Mass vs. Weight

Contrary to popular practice, the terms mass • An object, whether on the surface of the
and weight are not interchangeable and do earth, in orbit, or on the surface of the
not represent the same concept. moon, still has the same mass.
• However, the weight of the same object
will be different in all three instances
W = mg because the magnitude of gravity is
weight = mass x acceleration due to gravity different.
(lb) (slugs) (ft/sec2)
g = 32.16 ft/sec2

Mass vs. Weight Density

• Each measurement system has fallen prey Mass Density (Dm) is an object’s mass per
to erroneous cultural practices. unit volume.
SI System
• In the SI system, a person’s weight is grams per cubic centimeter
typically recorded in kilograms when it (g/cm3)
should be recorded in Newtons.
Weight density (Dw) is an object’s weight per
• In the U.S. Customary System, an object’s
unit volume.
mass is typically recorded in pounds when
it should be recorded in slugs. U.S. Customary System
pounds per cubic inch
(lb/in.3)

Examples of Density Calculating Mass

Material Mass Density Weight Density To calculate the mass (m) of any solid, its
(g/cm3) (lb/in.3)
volume (V) and mass density (Dm) must be
Apples 0.64 0.023
known.
Water (Pure) 1.00 0.036
Water (Sea) 1.03 0.037
Ice 0.92 0.034 m = VDm
Concrete 2.40 0.087 Dm (aluminum) = 2.71 g/cm3
Aluminum 2.71 0.098
Steel (1018) 7.8 0.282 m = VDm
Gold 19.32 0.698 m = (3.81cm)(8.89 cm)(17.28 cm)(2.71 g/cm 3)
m = 1586 g = 1.59 kg

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010
3
Presentation Name Course Name
Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name

Calculating Weight Area vs. Surface Area

To calculate the weight (W) of any solid, its There is a distinction between area (A) and
volume (V) and weight density (Dw) must surface area (SA).
be known.
• Area describes the measure of the two-
W = VDw dimensional space enclosed by a shape.
Dw (aluminum) = 0.098 lb/in.3 • Surface area is the sum of all the areas of
the faces of a three-dimensional solid.
W = VDw
W = 36.75 in.3 x .098 lb/in.3
W = 3.60 lb

Calculating Surface Area Calculating Surface Area

In order to calculate the surface area (SA) of Another way to represent the formula for
a rectangular prism, the area (A) of each surface area of a rectangular prism is given
faces must be known and added together. on the formula sheet.

Area A = 3.0 in. x 4.0 in. = 12 in.2

B
Area B = 4.0 in. x 8.0 in. = 32 in.2
C
Area C = 3.0 in. x 8.0 in. = 24 in.2
A D F Area D = 4.0 in. x 8.0 in. = 32 in.2
E Area E = 3.0 in. x 8.0 in. = 24 in.2
Area F = 3.0 in. x 4.0 in. = 12 in.2
Surface Area = 136 in.2

Calculating Surface Area Surface Area Calculations

What is the surface area of this rectangular

prism?
Surface Area = 2 [(8.0 in.)(4.0 in.)
+ (8.0 in.)(3.0 in.) SA = 2(wd + wh + dh)
SA = 2[(4.00 in.)(5.25 in.) + (4.00 in.)(2.50 in.) + (5.25 in.)(2.50 in.)]
+ (4.0 in.)(3.0 in.)]
= 136 in.2 SA = 2 [44.125 in.2]

SA = 88.3 in.2

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010
4
Presentation Name Course Name
Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name

Calculating Surface Area Surface Area Calculations

In order to calculate the surface area (SA) of In order to calculate the surface area (SA) of
a cube, the area (A = s2) of any one of its a cylinder, the area of the curved face and
faces must be known. the combined area of the circular faces must
The formula for calculating the surface area be known.
(SA) of a cube is: SA = (2r)h + 2(r2)
SA = 6s2 SA = 2()(1.50 in.)(6.00 in.) + 2()(1.50 in.)2
SA = 56.55 in.2 + 14.14 in.2
SA = 6 (4.00 in.)2
SA = 96.0 in.2 SA = 70.7 in.2

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010
5