Calculate Length of Tinfoil Roll from Mass & Thickness

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the length of a roll of aluminum foil based on its mass, thickness, and width. The context is centered around the properties of aluminum and its transformation into thin sheets, commonly referred to as "tinfoil." The participants are exploring how to relate these dimensions to find the desired length.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the mass, thickness, and width of the aluminum sheet. There is uncertainty about how to incorporate the width and thickness into the calculations. Some participants suggest visualizing the sheet as a rectangle to simplify the area calculation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on how to approach the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the shape of the foil before it is rolled, and there is a recognition of the need to consider volume in relation to density.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion regarding the use of the width and thickness in the calculations, indicating a potential gap in understanding how these dimensions interact in the context of the problem. There is also a mention of an impending final exam, adding urgency to the discussion.

JUSTaROCK
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Homework Statement


Aluminum, which has a mass of 2.7 grams for each cubic centimeter of volume, can be rolled into thin sheets
which your grandparents probably called "tinfoil." If a lump of aluminum of mass 0.75 kg is rolled into such a
sheet 18 μm thick and 25 cm wide, approximately how long is this roll of "tinfoil?"



Homework Equations



v = m/p p = density
v = L * A
surface area of circle = 4pi(r)^2
area of circle = pi(r)^2


The Attempt at a Solution



I have spent a lot of time on this problem but i can't seem to get it right i do not know what to do with the width or the thickness. I have tried to play it off like the width is the diameter,(which seems possible), but i just don't know what to do i have been working on this problem for 2 days now and i can't figure out what to do with it, please help i have a final on this tomorrow and i see it a lot in the old exams so i would like to know how to approach it if the problem gives thickness and width.
 
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JUSTaROCK said:

Homework Statement


Aluminum, which has a mass of 2.7 grams for each cubic centimeter of volume, can be rolled into thin sheets
which your grandparents probably called "tinfoil." If a lump of aluminum of mass 0.75 kg is rolled into such a
sheet 18 μm thick and 25 cm wide, approximately how long is this roll of "tinfoil?"

Homework Equations



v = m/p p = density
v = L * A
surface area of circle = 4pi(r)^2
area of circle = pi(r)^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I have spent a lot of time on this problem but i can't seem to get it right i do not know what to do with the width or the thickness. I have tried to play it off like the width is the diameter,(which seems possible), but i just don't know what to do i have been working on this problem for 2 days now and i can't figure out what to do with it, please help i have a final on this tomorrow and i see it a lot in the old exams so i would like to know how to approach it if the problem gives thickness and width.

Think about the sheet of the foil before you roll it up. What shape is it?
 
rectangle? so find the area of it as a rectangle ok ha ha don't know why i never thought of that
 
JUSTaROCK said:
rectangle? so find the area of it as a rectangle ok ha ha don't know why i never thought of that

A rectangle yes, but you are interested in the volume since the density is mass over volume.
 

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