Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A solid metal ball of radius is melted and drawn into a wire of radius . Find the length of the wire in metres.
When a solid is melted and recast, its volume stays the same. If pieces are made, the old volume equals times the volume of one piece. The surface area does not stay the same. Change all lengths to one unit first.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The units. .
Step 2. The ball. .
Step 3. The wire. .
Step 4. Equate. , so .
Step 5. In metres. .
Answer: the wire is long.
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