Question

Platinum has a density of 21.4 g/cm3. if thieves were to steal platinum from a bank using a small truck with a maximum payload of 900 lb, how many 1 l bars of the metal could they take?

Answer 1

We will convert the 1dm3 in terms of cm3 as follows:

1dm^3 = (10 cm)^3
= 1000 cm^3

The mass of platinum is equal to 900 lb. 
Then we will convert the mass in terms of grams as follows:
1 lb = 453.6 g
900 = 900 x 453.6 g
= 408240 g

Then density of platinum is equal to 21.4 g/cm^3 
We will calculate the volume of platinum in mass 408240 g as follows:
Volume of platinum = mass of platinum / density of platinum
= 408240 g / 21.4 g/cm^3 
= 19076.6 cm^3  

The total volume of platinum is 19076.6 cm^3
The volume of platinum in 1 L bar is 1000cm^3
So, to calculate the number of bars we will use the formula as follows;
Number of bars = volume of platinum available / volume of platinum required in 1 L bar
= 19076.6 cm^3 / 1000 cm^3
= 19
So, the number of bars are 19.