A backyard swimming pool holds 185 cubic yards (yd³) of water. What is the mass of the water in pounds?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Convert the volume of water from cubic yards to cubic feet using the conversion factor: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
2. Calculate the volume of water in cubic feet by multiplying the volume in cubic yards by the conversion factor.
3. Convert the volume of water from cubic feet to gallons using the conversion factor: 1 cubic foot = 7.48052 gallons.
4. Calculate the volume of water in gallons by multiplying the volume in cubic feet by the conversion factor.
5. Convert the volume of water from gallons to pounds using the conversion factor: 1 gallon of water = 8.34 pounds.

Key Concepts

Volume and Density

Volume is the amount of space an object occupies, measured in cubic units. Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance, typically expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or pounds per cubic yard (lb/yd³). To find the mass of a substance, you can use the formula: mass = density × volume.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one set of units to another. In this case, converting the volume of water from cubic yards to a mass in pounds requires knowing the density of water and applying appropriate conversion factors. For water, the density is approximately 62.4 lb/ft³, which can be converted to lb/yd³ for accurate calculations.

Properties of Water

Water is a unique substance with a density of about 62.4 pounds per cubic foot at standard temperature and pressure. This property is crucial for calculating the mass of water in a swimming pool. Understanding the properties of water, including its density, allows for accurate mass calculations based on volume measurements.