Author Archives: Engineering Math

College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 55


Suppose you drop a rock into a dark well and, using precision equipment, you measure the time for the sound of a splash to return.
(a) Neglecting the time required for sound to travel up the well, calculate the distance to the water if the sound returns in 2.0000 s.
(b) Now calculate the distance taking into account the time for sound to travel up the well. The speed of sound is 332.00 m/s in this well.


Solution:

Part A

Figure A

Consider Figure A.

We shall consider two points for our solution. First, position 1 is the top of the well. In this position, we know that y1=0, t1=0 and vy1=0.

Position 2 is located at the top of the water table where the rock will meet the water. Since we neglect the time for the sound to travel from position 2 to position 1, we can say that t2=2.0000 s, the time of the rock to reach this position.

Solving for the value of y2 will determine the distance between the two positions.

\begin{align*}

\Delta y & = v_{y_1}t+\frac{1}{2}at^2  \\
y_2-y_1 & = v_{y_1}t+\frac{1}{2}at^2  \\
y_2 & = y_1 +v_{y_1}t+\frac{1}{2}at^2  \\
y_2 & = 0+0+\frac{1}{2}\left( -9.81\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 2.0000\ \text{s} \right)^2 \\
y_2 & = -19.6\ \text{m} \qquad {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer }\right)}

\end{align*}

Position 2 is 19.6 meters measured downward from position 1.

\therefore The distance to the water is about 19.6 meters.

Part B

For this case, the 2.0000 seconds that is given includes the time that the rock travels from position 1 to position 2, tr, and the time that the sound travels from position 2 to position 1, ts.

\begin{align*}
t_r+t_s & =2.0000\ \text{s} \\
t_s & = 2.0000\ \text{s}-t_r 
\end{align*}

Considering the motion of the rock from position 1 to position 2.

\begin{align*}

\Delta y & = v_{y_1}t_r+\frac{1}{2}a\left( t_r \right)^2  \\
y_2-y_1 & = v_{y_1}t_r+\frac{1}{2}a\left( t_r \right)^2  \\
y_2 & = y_1 +v_{y_1}t_r+\frac{1}{2}a\left( t_r \right)^2  \\
y_2 & = 0+0+\frac{1}{2}\left( -9.81\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( t_r \right)^2  \\
y_2 & = -4.905\left( t_r \right)^2  \qquad {\color{Blue} \text{Equation 1}}\\


\end{align*}

Now, let us consider the motion of the sound from position 2 to position 1. Sound is assumed to have a constant velocity of 322.00 m/s.

\begin{align*}

\Delta y & = v_s \times t_s \\
y_1-y_2 & =\left( 322.00\ \text{m/s} \right)\left( t_s \right) \\
0-y_2 & =\left( 322.00 \right)\left( 2.0000-t_r \right) \\
y_2 & = -322.00\left( 2.0000-t_r \right) \qquad  {\color{Blue} \text{Equation 2}}


\end{align*}

So, we have two equations from the two motions. We can solve the equations simultaneously.

\begin{align*}

-4.905 \left( t_r \right)^2 & = -322.00\left( 2.0000-t_r \right) \\
4.905 \left( t_r \right)^2 & =322.00\left( 2.0000-t_r \right) \\
4.905 \left( t_r \right)^2 & = 644.00-322.00t_r \\
4.905\left( t_r \right)^2 + 322.00t_r-644.00 & = 0 \\

\end{align*}

We can solve the quadratic formula using the quadratic equation.

\begin{align*}

t_r & = \frac{-b \pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a} \\
t_r & = \frac{-322.00\pm\sqrt{\left( 322.00 \right)^2-4\left( 4.905 \right)\left( -644.00 \right)}}{2\left( 4.905 \right)}\\
t_r & =1.9425 \ \text{s}

\end{align*}

Now that we have solved for the value of tr, we can use this to solve for y2 using either Equation 1 or Equation 2. We will use equation 1.

\begin{align*}

y_2 & = -4.905\left( t_r \right)^2 \\
y_2 & = -4.905 \left( 1.9425 \right)^2 \\
y_2 & =-18.5 \ \text{m} \qquad {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}

\end{align*}

Position 2 is about 18.5 meters below position 1.

\therefore In this case, the distance between the two positions is 18.5 meters.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 54


A ball is thrown straight up. It passes a 2.00-m-high window 7.50 m off the ground on its path up and takes 0.312 s to go past the window. What was the ball’s initial velocity? Hint: First consider only the distance along the window, and solve for the ball’s velocity at the bottom of the window. Next, consider only the distance from the ground to the bottom of the window, and solve for the initial velocity using the velocity at the bottom of the window as the final velocity.


Solution:

First, we have the position 1 where the motion starts. Here, we know that y<sub>1</sub>=0, t<sub>1</sub>=0, and v<sub>y1</sub>=0.

Position 2 is at the bottom of the window. We know that it is 7.50 meters from where the motion started. So we have y<sub>2</sub>=7.50 meters. We do not know the time and velocity at this point.

Then we have position 3 at the top of the window where the overall height is 9.50 meters, y<sub>3</sub>=9.50. We also do not know the velocity and time elapsed in this position.
Figure A

Consider Figure A. We shall be considering the three positions shown.

First, we have position 1 where the motion starts. Here, we know that y1=0 and t1=0, but we do not know vy1.

Position 2 is at the bottom of the window. We know that it is 7.50 meters from where the motion started. So we have y2=7.50 meters. We do not know the time and velocity at this point.

Then we have position 3 at the top of the window where the overall height is 9.50 meters, y3=9.50. We also do not know the velocity and time elapsed in this position.

Consider positions 2 and 3. The initial position in this case is at position 2 and the final position is at position 3. We know that the difference of time between this two positions is 0.312 seconds. We can say that

t_3 =t_2+0.312 \ \text{s} \\
t_3-t_2 = 0.312\ \text{s}

Using the same 2 positions still, we have

\begin{align*}

y_3 & = y_2 + v_{y_2} \Delta t+\frac{1}{2}a\left(  \Delta t \right)^2 \\
9.50\ \text{m} & = 7.50\ \text{m} +  v_{y_2} \left( t_3-t_2 \right)+\frac{1}{2}a\left( t_3-t_2 \right)^2 \\
9.50\ \text{m}-7.50\ \text{m} & = v_{y_2}\left( 0.312\ \text{s} \right)+\frac{1}{2}\left( -9.81\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 0.312\ \text{s} \right)^2\\
2.00\ \text{m} & = 0.312\ \text{s} \left( v_{y_2} \right)-0.4775\ \text{m} \\
 0.312\ \text{s} \left( v_{y_2} \right) & = 2.00\ \text{m}+0.4775\ \text{m} \\
 0.312\ \text{s} \left( v_{y_2} \right) & = 2.4775\ \text{m} \\
v_{y_2}& =\frac{2.4775\ \text{m}}{0.312\ \text{s}} \\
v_{y_2}& = 7.94\ \text{m/s}

\end{align*}

We have computed the velocity of the ball at the bottom of the window.

Next, we shall consider positions 1 and 2. In this consideration, position 1 will be considered the initial position while position2 is the final position.

\begin{align*}

\left( v_{y_2} \right)^2  &  = \left( v_{y_1} \right)^2 +2a \Delta y \\
\left( 7.94\ \text{m/s} \right)^2 & = \left( v_{y_1} \right)^2 + 2\left( -9.81 \ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 7.50\ \text{m}-0 \right)\\
\left( v_{y_1} \right)^2 & = \left( 7.94\ \text{m/s} \right)^2- 2\left( -9.81 \ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 7.50\ \text{m}-0 \right)\\
v_{y_1} & = + \sqrt{ \left( 7.94\ \text{m/s} \right)^2- 2\left( -9.81 \ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 7.50\ \text{m}-0 \right)} \\
v_{y_1} & = + 14.5\ \text{m/s}\qquad {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right) }

\end{align*}

\therefore The ball’s initial velocity is about 14.5 m/s upward.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 53


There is a 250-m-high cliff at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in California. Suppose a boulder breaks loose from the top of this cliff.
(a) How fast will it be going when it strikes the ground?
(b) Assuming a reaction time of 0.300 s, how long will a tourist at the bottom have to get out of the way after hearing the sound of the rock breaking loose (neglecting the height of the tourist, which would become negligible anyway if hit)? The speed of sound is 335 m/s on this day.


Solution:

Part A

Consider the Figure A. We shall consider two position points — position 1 at the top of the cliff, and position 2 on the ground.

Position 1 is 250 meters above the ground (y=250 m), and since this is the initial position, t=0, and the initial velocity is vy=0.

Position 2 is on the ground (y=0), and we do not know the time and velocity at this point.

For this part, we will solve for the value of vy at position 2.

\begin{align*}
\left( v_{y_{2}} \right)^2 &  = \left( v_{y_{1}} \right)^2+2a \Delta y \\
\left( v_{y_{2}} \right)^2 &  = \left( 0\ \text{m/s} \right)^2+2\left( -9.81\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 0\ \text{m}-250\ \text{m} \right) \\
\left( v_{y_{2}} \right)^2 &  = 4905\ \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 \\
v_{y_{2}} & = \pm \sqrt{4905\ \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2} \\
v_{y_{2}} & = \pm \ 70.0\ \text{m/s}\\
v_{y_{2}} & = -  70.0\ \text{m/s} \qquad {\color{gold}\left( \text{Answer} \right) }\\
\end{align*}
Figure A

Since the boulder is moving downward at this point, we shall consider the negative sign of the velocity as an indication of the downward direction of the velocity.

To answer the question, the boulder is going at about 70.0 m/s downward when it strikes the ground.

Part B

Let:
t_s be the time for the sound to travel from the top of the cliff to the tourist;
t be the total time elapsed before the tourist can react;
t_b be the time for the rock to travel from the top of the cliff to the ground
t_t be the amount of time the tourist has to get out of the way after hearing the sound of the rock breaking loose

Since we are given the speed of sound, we have

\begin{align*}

t_s & = \frac{\text{height of the cliff}}{\text{speed of sound}} \\
t_s & = \frac{250\ \text{m}}{335\ \text{m/s}}\\
t_s & =0.746 \ \text{s}

\end{align*}

So, the tourist can react after

\begin{align*}

t & =t_s + \text{reaction time} \\
t & = 0.746\ \text{s}+0.300\ \text{s} \\
t &= 1.046\ \text{s}

\end{align*}

Then, we can compute for the total time it takes for the rock to travel from top to the ground.

\begin{align*}

t_b & =\frac{v_{y_2}-v_{y_1}}{a} \\
t_b & =\frac{-70\ \text{m/s}-0\ \text{m/s}}{-9.81\ \text{m/s}^2} \\
t_b & = 7.14\ \text{s}

\end{align*}

Therefore, the tourist still has the time to get out of the way. That is,

\begin{align*}

t_t & =7.14\ \text{s}-1.046\ \text{s} \\
t_t & = 6.09\ \text{s} \qquad {\color{gold}\left( \text{Answer} \right) } \\

\end{align*}

\therefore the tourist has about 6.09 seconds to get out of the way.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 52


An object is dropped from a height of 75.0 m above ground level. (a) Determine the distance traveled during the first second. (b) Determine the final velocity at which the object hits the ground. (c) Determine the distance traveled during the last second of motion before hitting the ground.


Solution:

Consider Figure 1. The object was dropped from a height of 75.0 m. At the start of motion, the velocity is zero, v_{oy}=0.

The object traveled for a period of time t for the whole 75.0 m distance to the ground.

Part A

We are solving for the distance traveled by the object for the first 1 second. So, we have

\begin{align*}
\Delta y & = v_{oy} t + \frac{1}{2}at^2\\
\Delta y & = \left( 0 \ \text{m/s} \right)\left( 1 \ \text{s} \right)+\frac{1}{2}\left( -9.81 \ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 1 \ \text{s} \right)^2 \\
\Delta y & = 0 -4.905 \ \text{m} \\
\Delta y & = -4.91 \ \text{m} \\
|\Delta y| & =4.91 \ \text{m}
\end{align*}

The negative sign of Δy indicates that the direction of the displacement is downward. Since we are looking for the scalar value of the distance, the answer is 4.91 m.

Part B

So we now consider the two positions of the object as shown in the figure to the right. The initial height of the object is 75.0 m above the ground, and the initial velocity is 0.

At the ground, we know that the position of the object is 0 m above the ground, but we do not know the time and velocity. Therefore, to determine the velocity of the object at this point, we proceed as follows:

\begin{align*}
\left( v_2 \right)^2 & =\left( v_1 \right)^2+2a \Delta y \\
\left( v_2 \right)^2 & =\left( v_1 \right)^2+2a \left( y_2-y_1 \right) \\
v_2 & = \pm \sqrt{\left( v_1 \right)^2+2a \left( y_2-y_1 \right)}\\
v_2 & = \pm \sqrt{\left( 0\ \text{m/s} \right)^2+2\left( -9.81\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 0 \ \text{m}-75\ \text{m} \right)} \\
v_2 & = \pm \ 38.4\ \text{m/s}\\
v_2 & =- 38.4\ \text{m/s}\\
\end{align*}

Since the object is directing downwards when it hit the ground, the velocity is negative.

Part C

First, we calculate the total time of the object’s motion from the beginning to the ground.

\begin{align*}
\Delta y & =\bcancel{v_{oy}t}+ \frac{1}{2}at^2 \\
\Delta y & = \frac{1}{2}at^2 \\
0 \text{m}-75\ \text{m} & = \frac{1}{2}\left( -9.81\ \text{m/s}^2 \right)t^2 \\
t^2& =\frac{-75\ \text{m}}{-4.905 \text{m/s}^2}\\
t&=\sqrt{\frac{75\ \text{m}}{4.905 \text{m/s}^2}}\\
t&=3.91 \ \text{s}
\end{align*}

Second, determine the total distance traveled from 0 s to 2.91 s, leaving out the last 1 s of the motion.

\begin{align*}
\Delta y & = v_{oy} t + \frac{1}{2}at^2\\
\Delta y & = \left( 0 \ \text{m/s} \right)\left( 1 \ \text{s} \right)+\frac{1}{2}\left( -9.81 \ \text{m/s}^2 \right)\left( 2.91 \ \text{s} \right)^2 \\
\Delta y & = 0 -41.5 \ \text{m} \\
\Delta y & = -41.5 \ \text{m} \\
|\Delta y| & =41.5 \ \text{m}
\end{align*}

Finally, subtract this distance from the total distance traveled to get the distance traveled in the last 1 second.

\begin{align*}
y_{_{\text{last 1 sec}}} & = 75.0 \ \text{m}-41.5 \ \text{m} \\
y_{_{\text{last 1 sec}}} & = 33.5\ \text{m}
\end{align*}

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Hibbeler Statics 14E P2.4 – Components of a Force Along Two Non-Perpendicular Axes


The vertical force \textbf{F} acts downward at A on the two-membered frame. Determine the magnitudes of the two components of \textbf{F} directed along the axes of AB and AC. Set \textbf{F} = 500 N.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition by RC Hibbeler, Problem 2-4


Solution:

Draw the components of the force using the parallelogram law. Then the triangulation rule.

Parallelogram Law
Triangulation Rule

Solving for FAC using sine law.

\begin{align*}
\frac{\text{F}_\text{AC}}{\sin \ 45^\circ } & =\frac{500 \ \text{N}}{\sin \ 75^\circ }\\
\text{F}_\text{AC} & = \frac{500 \ \text{N} \ \sin45^\circ }{\sin\ 75^\circ }\\
\text{F}_\text{AC} & =366.0254 \ \text{N}\\
\text{F}_\text{AC} &\approx 366 \ \text{N}
\end{align*}

Solve for FAB using sine law.

\begin{align*}
\frac{\text{F}_\text{AB}}{\sin \ 60^\circ } & =\frac{500 \ \text{N}}{\sin \ 75^\circ }\\
\text{F}_\text{AB} & = \frac{500 \ \text{N} \ \sin60^\circ }{\sin\ 75^\circ }\\
\text{F}_\text{AB} & =448.2877 \ \text{N}\\
\text{F}_\text{AB} &\approx 448 \ \text{N}
\end{align*}

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Hibbeler Statics 14E P2.2 — Solving for an Unknown Force Given the Magnitude and Direction of a Resultant and Another Force


If the magnitude of the resultant force is to be 500 N, directed along the positive y-axis, determine the magnitude of force F and its direction \theta .

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition by RC Hibbeler, Problem 2-2


Solution:

The parallelogram law and the triangulation rule are shown in the figures below.

Engineering Mechanics by RC Hibbeler Problem 2.2 Parallelogram Law
Parallelogram Law
Engineering Mechanics by RC Hibbeler Problem 2.2 Triangulation Rule
Triangulation Rule

Considering the figure of the triangulation rule, we can solve for the magnitude of \textbf{F} using the cosine law.

\begin{align*}
\textbf{F} & = \sqrt{700^2+500^2-2\left( 700 \right)\left( 500 \right)\cos105^{\circ}}\\
& = 959.78 \  \text{N}\\
& = 960 \  \text{N}\\
\end{align*}

Then we use the sine law to solve for the angle \theta.

\begin{align*}
\frac{\sin \left(90^{\circ}-\theta \right)}{700} & = \frac{\sin 105^{\circ}}{959.78}\\
\sin \left(90^{\circ}-\theta \right) & =\frac{700 \sin 105^{\circ }}{959.78}\\
90^{\circ}-\theta & = \sin^{-1} \left( \frac{700 \sin 105^{\circ }}{959.78} \right)\\
\theta & = 90^\circ-\sin^{-1} \left( \frac{700 \sin 105^{\circ }}{959.78} \right) \\
\theta & =  90^\circ-44.79^\circ\\
\theta & =  45.2^\circ\\
\end{align*}

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Hibbeler Statics 14E P2.1 — Solving for the Magnitude and Direction of the Resultant of Two Coplanar-Concurrent Forces


If \theta = 60 \degree and \textbf{F} = 450 \ \text{N}, determine the magnitude of the resultant force and its direction, measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition by RC Hibbeler, Problem 2-1


Solution:

The parallelogram law and the triangulation rule are shown in the figures below.

(a) Parallelogram Law
(b) Triangulation Rule

Considering figure (b), we can solve for the magnitude of \textbf{F}_R using the cosine law.

\begin{align*}
\textbf{F}_R & = \sqrt{700^2+450^2-2\left( 700 \right)\left( 450 \right)\cos45^{\circ}}\\
& = 497.01 \ \text{N}\\
& = 497 \ \text{N}
\end{align*}

Then we use the sine law to solve for the interior angle \theta.

\begin{align*}
\frac{\sin \theta}{700} & = \frac{\sin 45^{\circ}}{497.01}\\
\sin \theta & =\frac{700\ \sin 45^{\circ }}{497.01}\\
\theta & = \sin^{-1} \left( \frac{700\ \sin 45^{\circ }}{497.01} \right)\\
& \text{This is an ambiguous case }\\
\theta & = 84.81^\circ \  or \  \theta =95.19^\circ \\
\end{align*}

In here, the correct angle measurement is \theta = 95.19^{\circ}.

Thus, the direction angle \phi of \textbf{F}_R measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis, is

\begin{align*}
\phi & = \theta +60^\circ \\
& = 95.19^\circ +60^\circ \\
& = 155^\circ 
\end{align*}

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Hibbeler Statics 14E P1.19 — Determine the Weight of the Column with a given Density


A concrete column has a diameter of 350 mm and a length of 2 m. If the density (mass/volume) of concrete is 2.45 Mg/m3, determine the weight of the column in pounds.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition by RC Hibbeler, Problem 1-19


Solution:

The density of any material is given by the formula

\text{density}=\frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}

From there, we can compute for the mass as

\text{mass}=\text{density} \times \text{volume}

We can solve for mass by multiplying density by volume. The density is already given, and we can compute for the volume of the concrete column by the formula of a volume of a cylinder.

\begin{align*}
\text{V} & = \pi \text{r}^2 \text{h}\\
& =\pi \left( \frac{0.35\ \text{m}}{2} \right)^2 \left( 2 \ \text{m} \right)\\
& =0.1924 \ \text{m}^3
\end{align*}
Concrete Column illustration with diameter of 350 mm or 0.35 m, and a height of 2 m

Therefore, the mass of the concrete column is

\begin{align*}
\text{mass} & =\text{density} \times \text{volume}\\
& = \left( 2.45 \times 10^3 \ \text{kg/m}^3 \right)\times \left( 0.1924 \ \text{m}^3 \right)\\
& =471.44 \ \text{kg}\\
\end{align*}

Now, we can solve for the weight by multiplying the mass by the acceleration due to gravity, g.

\begin{align*}
\text{Weight} & = \text{mass} \times \text{acceleration due to gravity} \\
& = 471.44 \ \text{kg} \times 9.81 \ \text{m/s}^2 \\
& = 4624.78 \ \text{N}
\end{align*}

Finally, we can convert the weight in Newtons to weight in pounds.

\begin{align*}
4624.78\ \text{N} & = 4624.78\ \text{N}\times \frac{1\ \text{lb}}{4.4482\ \text{N}}\\
& = 1039.70\ \text{lb}\\
& = 1.04\times 10^3 \  \text{lb}\\
& = 1.04 \ \text{kip}
\end{align*}

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Hibbeler Statics 14E P1.14 — Evaluation of expression to correct SI Units


Evaluate each of the following to three significant figures and express each answer in SI units using an appropriate prefix: (a) (212 mN)2, (b) (52800 ms)2, and (c) [548(106)]1/2 ms.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition by RC Hibbeler, Problem 1-14


Solution:

Part A

\begin{align*}
\left( 212 \ \text{mN} \right)^2 & = \left[ 212\times 10^{-3} \ \text{N} \right]^2 \\
& = 0.0449 \ \text{N}^2 \\
& = 4.49\times 10^{-2} \ \text{N}^2\\
\end{align*}

Part B

\begin{align*}
\left( 52800 \ \text{ms} \right)^2 & = \left[ 52800\times 10^{-3} \ \text{s} \right]^2 \\
& =2788 \ \text{s}^2 \\
& = 2.79 \times 10^3 \ \text{s}^2
\end{align*}

Part C

\begin{align*}
\left[ 548\left( 10^6 \right) \right]^{1/2} \ \text{ms}& =23409 \ \text{ms}\\
& =23409\times 10^{-3}\ \text{s}\\
& = 23.4\times 10^3\times 10^{-3} \ \text{s}\\
& = 23.4 \ \text{s}
\end{align*} 

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Hibbeler Statics 14E P1.13 — Conversion of Density from Slug per Cubic Foot to Appropriate SI Unit


The density (mass volume) of aluminum is 5.26 slug/ft3. Determine its density in SI units. Use an appropriate prefix.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition by RC Hibbeler, Problem 1-13


Solution:

\begin{align*}
5.26 \ \text{slug/ft}^3 & =\left( \frac{5.26 \ \text{slug}}{\text{ft}^3} \right)\left( \frac{1 \ \text{ft}}{0.3048\ \text{m}} \right)^3\left( \frac{14.59\ \text{kg}}{1\ \text{slug}} \right)\\
& = 2710\ \text{kg/m}^3\\
& = 2.71\times 10^3 \ \text{kg/m}^3\\
& = 2.71\ \text{Mg/m}^3
\end{align*}

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