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The conversion from weight (pounds) to volume (gallons) depends on the density of the liquid, which can depend on the temperature of the liquid as well. For water at 50 degrees F, the one gallon of water is equal to 8.343 pounds. Colder water is heavier, down to 39 degrees F, at which time the water begins to expand as it forms ice crystals.

As a rough "rule of thumb", the old rhyme "A pint's a pound, the world around" can be a useful aid to memory. One pint is equal to 1/8th of a gallon, so the conversion isn't exact, but pretty close.

We also know that oil floats on top of water, because the density of oil is less than the density of water. For example, a gallon of jet fuel is about 6.5 pounds, as opposed to 8+ pounds per gallon for water.

For some purposes, the metric system makes these conversions a lot easier. For example, one gram of water is defined to be equal to one cubic centimeter of water, so one liter (which is 1000 cubic centimeters) equals one kilogram at "standard temperature and pressure".

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11y ago

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