`M = 1/2 * b * h * l * mD`

Enter a value for all fields

The Mass or Weight of a Prism calculator computes the mass of a prism (see graphic) based on the dimensions of the triangular side, the length and the mean density.

INSTRUCTIONS:  Choose units and enter the following:

• (b) Base of the triangular side.
• (h) Height of the triangular side.
• (l) Length of the prism
• (mD) Mean density of the material composing the prism.

Prism Mass / Weight(M): The calculator returns the mass (M) in kilograms.   However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

The formula for the volume of a triangle prism is:

              V = ½•b•h•l

where:

• V is the volume of the triangular prism
• b is the base
• h is the height
• l is the length

Once the volume is know, the mass can be computed:

           M = mD • V

where:

• M is the mass of the triangular prism
• mD is the mean density of the material in the prism
• V is the volume of the prism

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Mean Density Table

Common Mean Densities in Kilograms per Meter Cubed (kg/m3)
Fluids Pure Water - 1,000   Seawater - 1,022   Milk - 1,037  Olive Oil - 860 Cement Slurry - 1,442  Fuels Diesel Fuel - 885  Crude Oil - 870 to 920   Fuel Oil -  890   Ethanol - 789   Gasoline (petrol) - 737  Propane - 493  Liquid Natural Gas - 430 to 470  Market-Ready Grains Corn - 721 (56 lb/bu) Wheat - 772 (60 lb/bu) Barley - 618 (48 lb/bu) Oats - 412 (32 lb/bu) Rye - 721 (56 lb/bu) Soybean - 772 (60 lb/bu)	Metals Density of Aluminum - 2,700 Density of Brass - 8,530  Density of Bronze - 8,150  Density of Chromium - 7,190  Density of Cobalt - 8,746  Density of Copper - 8,940   Density of Gallium - 5907  Density of Gold - 19,300 Density of Iron - 7,847 Density of Lead - 11,340 Density of Nickle - 8,908  Density of Palladium -  12,023 Density of Platinum - 21,450  Density of Steel - 7,850  Density of Silver - 10,490  Density of Tin - 7,280 Density of Titanium - 4,500  Density of Tungsten - 19,600  Density of Uranium - 19,050 Density of Zinc - 7,135  Density of Zirconium - 6,570	Earthen Concrete - 2,371 Dirt - 1,250 Fire Clay - 1,362 Glass - 2,500 Granite - 2,691 Sand (dry) - 1,602 Sand (wet) - 2,082 Sandstone - 2,323 Synthetic Bakelite - 1,362 Carbon Fiber - 2,000 Organic Balsa - 170 Cork - 240 Mahogany - 545 Oak - 760 Pine - 539 Rubber - 1,522
Mean Density Lookup Function

Mean density is scientifically volume divided by mass.  There are  various unit for density adopted by cultures and industries. Common units for density included the following:

• kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)
• grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)
• grams per liter (g/L)
• pounds per cubic feet (lb/ft³)
• ounces per cubic inch (oz/in³)
• pounds per barrel (lb/bbl)
• pounds per bushel (lb/bu)

If you want to identify a material by its density, use the Density Within Range tool.

Related Calculators:

• Compute the Volume of a Triangular Prism
• Compute Surface Area of a Triangular Prism
• Compute the Mass or Weight of a Triangular Prism
• Lookup the Mean Density or hundreds of substances.