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Properties of
Geometric Solids
Calculating Volume,
Weight, and Surface Area
 Geometric Solids

• Solids are three-

dimensional objects.
• In sketching, two-
dimensional shapes are
used to create the illusion
of three-dimensional
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 space

occupied by an object or enclosed within a
container.

Metric English System

cubic cubic inch
centimeter (in3)
(cc)
 Volume of a Cube
A cube has sides (s) of
equal length.
The formula for
calculating the volume
(V) of a cube is: V= s3
V= 4 in x 4 in x 4 in
V = s3 V = 64 in3
 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 a 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 in3
 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= r 2
h
(V) of a cylinder is: V= 3.14 x (1.5 in) 2
x 6 in
V = 42.39 in3
V = r2h
 Mass
Mass (M) refers to the quantity of matter in
an object. It is often confused with the
concept of weight in the metric system.

Metric English System

gram slug
(g)
 Weight
Weight (W) is the force of gravity acting on
an object. It is often confused with the
concept of mass in the English system.

Metric English System

Newton pound
(N) (lb)
 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 metric system, a person’s weight is
typically recorded in kilograms, when it
should be recorded in Newtons.
In the English system, an object’s mass is
typically recorded in pounds, when it should
be recorded in slugs.
 Weight Density

Weight density (WD) is an object’s weight

per unit volume.
English System
pounds per cubic inch
(lbs/in3)
Weight Density

Substance Weight Density

Water
Freshwater .036 lb/in3
Seawater .039 lb/in3
Gasoline .024 lb/in3
Aluminum .098 lb/in3
Machinable Wax .034 lb/in3
Haydite Concrete .058 lb/in3
 Calculating Weight
To calculate the
weight (W) of any
solid, its volume (V)
and weight density
(Dw) must be known.
W = VDw
W = VDw
W = 36.75 in3 x .098 lbs/in3
W = 3.6 lbs
 Area vs. Surface Area

There is a distinction between area (A) and

surface area (SA).
Area describes the measure of the two-
dimensional space enclosed by a shape.
Surface area is the sum of all the areas of the
faces of a three-dimensional solid.
 Surface Area Calculations
In order to calculate the
surface area (SA) of a cube,
the area (A) of any one of its
faces must be known.
The formula for calculating
the surface area (SA) of a SA = 6A
cube is: SA = 6 x (4 in x 4 in)
SA = 6A SA = 96 in2
 Surface Area Calculations
In order to calculate the
surface area (SA) of a
rectangular prism, the
area (A) of the three
different faces must be
known. SA = 2(wd + wh + dh)
SA = 2(wd + wh + dh) SA = 2 x 44.125 in2
SA = 88.25 in2
 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 SA = 2(r)h + 2(r 2
)
faces must be known. SA = 56.52 in 2
+ 14.13 in 2

SA = 88.25 in2
SA = (2r)h + 2(r2)