Question

Compute the order of magnitude of the mass of a bathtub half full of pennies. (Assume the pennies are made entirely of copper.)

Answer 1

Answer:

Mass = 873.6kg = 0.874 × 10^3 kg

Order = 3

Question:

Compute the order of magnitude of the mass of a bathtub half full of pennies.(Assume the pennies are made entirely of copper and the tub measures 1.3 m by 0.5 m by 0.3 m)

Explanation:

Given:

Dimensions of the tub = 1.3 m by 0.5 m by 0.3 m

Density of copper d = 8960kg/m^3

Mass = volume × density

Volume of tub = L×B×H = 1.3 × 0.5 × 0.3 = 0.195m^3

Since the tub is half full:

V = 0.195/2 = 0.0975m^3

Mass = 8960kg/m^3 × 0.0975m^3

Mass = 873.6kg = 0.874 × 10^3 kg

Order = 3

Note: Order of magnitude is of the form:

N = a × 10^b

Where;

b = order of magnitude

and

1/√10 </= a < √10