Micrometer reading/area of wire calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around measuring the diameter of a wire and calculating its cross-sectional area. The subject area includes geometry and unit conversion, specifically focusing on the implications of measurement units in calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of the cross-sectional area using the formula Πr² and question the correctness of the units used in the measurements. There is also a discussion about the potential ambiguity in the diameter measurement, whether it is in millimeters or centimeters.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively clarifying assumptions regarding the units of measurement and discussing the implications of these assumptions on the calculation of the area. Some guidance has been provided regarding the formula used, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct units or final answer.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty about the unit of measurement for the diameter, with participants considering both millimeters and centimeters. This ambiguity affects how the cross-sectional area should be expressed.

Deliria
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I measured the diameter of a wire and got 0.30. This is in millimeters right?

How would you calculate the cross sectional area? Is it just Πr²?

so Π x (0.15x10⁻³ x 0.15x10⁻³)
= 7.0 x 10⁻⁸m²

Is this right?
 
Last edited:
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Well, it could be 0.30 mm, but without further information it could just as easily be for instance 0.30 cm.

Assuming that the wire has a circular cross-section, then yes, your approach is right.
 
Deliria said:
I measured the diameter of a wire and got 0.30. This is in millimeters right?

How would you calculate the cross sectional area? Is it just Πr²?

so Π x (0.15x10⁻³ x 0.15x10⁻³)
What is the exponent on 10 below? It looks like an accent mark, not a number.
Also, since your units are mm for the wire diameter, I think, why not leave the cross-section area in sq. mm.?
Deliria said:
= 7.0 x 10⁻⁸m²

Is this right?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the help guys! :)

I'm pretty sure the diameter was in millimeters.

Mark44 said:
What is the exponent on 10 below? It looks like an accent mark, not a number.
Also, since your units are cm for the wire diameter, I think, why not leave the cross-section area in sq. cm.?

In my final answer? 8

I couldn't fit it all in the answer box, lol. Standard form was the only way :(
 
Yeah, I meant mm, not cm. I edited these units in my previous post.
 

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