Calculating Gasoline Tank Depth and Volume

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the depth and volume of a rectangular gasoline tank based on its mass capacity. The problem involves understanding the relationship between mass, volume, and density in the context of a gasoline tank suitable for a passenger car.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the original poster's assumption regarding the depth being equivalent to height and question the accuracy of the calculated depth based on the density of gasoline. There is also exploration of varying density values for gasoline and their implications on the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered validation of the original poster's calculations, while others have pointed out potential issues with the density value used. The original poster is considering seeking clarification from their professor, indicating an ongoing exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted absence of a specific density value provided in the problem statement, leading to reliance on external sources for density information. Variability in density values for gasoline is acknowledged, which may affect the calculations.

tennisgirl92
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Homework Statement


(a) A rectangular gasoline tank can hold 39.0 kg of gasoline when full. What is the depth of the tank if it is 0.450 m wide by 0.900 m long?
m
(b) What is the volume of the tank? (It is suitable for a passenger car.)
gal

Homework Equations


Density of gas=719.7=mass/volume
Volume=lengthxwidthxheight
density=mass/volume
density=mass/ (lengthxwidthxheight)

The Attempt at a Solution


I assumed depth was referring to the height, which might be what I'm doing wrong.
719.7=39/ (.45 x .9 x h)
height=.1338m
And then I would convert the volume (.45 x .9m x .1338m) to gallons using (1 gal=.003785 m3)

This seems fairly straight forward, but for some reason this answer is wrong. Please help!
Thanks
 
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You work looks correct to me. What did you get for the number of gallons?
 
The depth of .1338m was incorrect, so I knew the volume would be and didn't do the calculation. I've checked my math, and I still get .1338m
 
The density of gasoline can vary. Were you given a particular value for the density?
 
No, no value was given. I googled this value.
 
Are you using a textbook that has a table of densities?
 
No, I just searched through the textbook and I do not see table of densities.
 
OK. Although Wikipedia gives 719.7 kg/m3, they also state, "Finished marketable gasoline is traded with a standard reference of 0.755 kg/L", which is 755 kg/m3. Several other sites give values between 730 and 750 kg/m3. So, it's hard to say what value you should use.
 
Thank you-I am going to clarify with professor
 

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