Geometric Solid – Definition, Examples | EDU.COM

A geometric solid is a three-dimensional figure or shape that occupies space and has volume. These shapes have length, width, and height, distinguishing them from two-dimensional shapes which only have length and width. The branch of geometry that studies these three-dimensional shapes is called solid geometry. Geometric solids are defined by their faces (flat surfaces), edges (line segments where two faces meet), and vertices (points where edges meet).

Geometric solids can be classified into two main types: polyhedrons and non-polyhedrons. Polyhedrons have multiple flat faces, all of which are polygons, such as cubes, prisms, and pyramids. Non-polyhedrons (or curved bodies) include solids with curved surfaces or a combination of curved and flat surfaces, such as spheres, cones, and cylinders. Each type of geometric solid has unique properties related to its faces, edges, vertices, volume, and surface area.

Is the figure below a geometric solid?

Canned Peanut Butter

Step 1, Look at the shape of the object in the image. The image shows a cylindrical jar.

Step 2, Recall what makes a shape a geometric solid. A geometric solid is a three-dimensional shape that has volume and occupies space.

Step 3, Apply this knowledge to the jar in the image. The jar is a geometric solid because it is three-dimensional, has a cylindrical shape, has volume, and occupies space.

Find the surface area of a cube of edge 444 units.

A cube with a side length of 4

Step 1, Recall the formula for the surface area of a cube. For a cube, the surface area is given by 6s26s^26s2 where sss is the length of one edge.

Step 2, Identify the length of the edge from the problem. The edge length is 444 units.

Step 3, Substitute the edge length into the formula.

Surface area =6×s2=6×42= 6 \times s^2 = 6 \times 4^2=6×s2=6×42

Step 4, Calculate the value.

Surface area =6×16=96= 6 \times 16 = 96=6×16=96 square units.

Find the volume of a sphere with a radius of 212121 feet.

sphere

Step 1, Remember the formula for the volume of a sphere. The volume is given by 43πr3\frac{4}{3} \pi r^334​πr3, where rrr is the radius of the sphere.

Step 2, Identify the radius from the problem. The radius is 212121 feet.

Step 3, Substitute the radius value into the formula.

Volume =43×π×(21)3= \frac{4}{3} \times \pi \times (21)^3=34​×π×(21)3

Step 4, Calculate the value by cubing the radius first.

Volume =43×π×9,261=38,808= \frac{4}{3} \times \pi \times 9,261 = 38,808=34​×π×9,261=38,808 cubic feet.