SOLUTION: How do I calculate the number of 1.38 cu in spheres can be put into a drum that is 21" diameter and 29" high?

Question 883942: How do I calculate the number of 1.38 cu in spheres can be put into a drum that is 21" diameter and 29" high?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The quickest way to calculate is to divide the volume of one sphere into the volume of the drum.

Although quick it is inherently incorrect and overestimates the number because it doesn't account for gaps in between the spheres which normally exist.
If you think of how cannonballs are stacked and do something similar with these spheres, the maximum density you can achieve is or
So the maximum number would decrease to .
For more information, look up close packing or center packing of spheres in your favorite search engine.

RELATED QUESTIONS
A tall cylindrical container 6 cm in diameter contains some water. Nine steel spheres of... (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn)

I'm completely failing to understand ratios. I'm trying to understand a 1 to 1.5 ratio of (answered by josgarithmetic,solver91311)

Using 1 lb. of lead, and allowing 5% for waste, determine amount of shot 1/16 in. in... (answered by Alan3354)

Using 1 lb. of lead, and allowing 5% for waste, determine amount of shot 1/16 in. in... (answered by CPhill)

an electric hoist is being used to lift a beam. The diameter of the drum on the hoist is... (answered by Fombitz)

a solid metal sphere 12 cm in diameter is melted and recast into smaller solid metal... (answered by lwsshak3)

99 liters of oil is poured into a cylindrical drum 60 cm in diameter how deep is the oil... (answered by Boreal)

Hello, What is the volume of a 49cm high and 31cm diameter drum ? thank you... (answered by mananth)

the oil drum below is shaped like a cylinder. If 1\2 of the drum is filled with oil,... (answered by JBarnum,solver91311)