A gas can holds 25.0 gal of gasoline. Express this quantity in cm3.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the conversion factors needed: 1 gallon = 3.78541 liters and 1 liter = 1000 cm^3.
2. Convert gallons to liters using the conversion factor: multiply 25.0 gallons by 3.78541 liters per gallon.
3. Convert liters to cubic centimeters (cm^3) using the conversion factor: multiply the result from the previous step by 1000 cm^3 per liter.
4. Ensure that units cancel appropriately in each step to confirm the conversion is set up correctly.
5. The final result will be the volume in cm^3 after performing the calculations.

Key Concepts

Volume Conversion

Volume conversion involves changing a measurement from one unit to another, which is essential in chemistry for comparing quantities. In this case, converting gallons to cubic centimeters (cm³) requires knowing the conversion factor: 1 gallon is approximately 3,785.41 cm³. Understanding how to apply this conversion factor is crucial for accurately expressing the volume of gasoline in the desired unit.

Metric System

The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement used globally in scientific contexts. It includes units such as liters, meters, and grams, with cubic centimeters (cm³) being a common unit for volume. Familiarity with the metric system is important for students in chemistry, as it facilitates easier calculations and comparisons of measurements across different substances.

Gasoline Density

While not directly needed for the conversion in this question, understanding the density of gasoline can provide context for its volume. Gasoline typically has a density of about 0.74 g/cm³, which can be useful for further calculations involving mass or when considering the properties of gasoline in various chemical processes. Recognizing the relationship between volume, mass, and density is a fundamental concept in chemistry.