How many tons of lignite are contained in a reserve of 1000 acres with beds averaging 20 feet thick, with a specific gravity of 1.28?

To determine the number of tons of lignite contained in a reserve of 1000 acres with beds averaging 20 feet thick and a specific gravity of 1.28, we start by calculating the volume of lignite in cubic feet and then convert that volume into tons.

First, we need to find the volume of lignite. One acre is 43,560 square feet, so:

1,000 acres = 1,000 × 43,560 = 43,560,000 square feet.

Next, since the beds are 20 feet thick, the total volume of lignite in cubic feet can be calculated by multiplying the area by the thickness:

Volume = Area × Thickness = 43,560,000 sq ft × 20 ft = 871,200,000 cubic feet.

The specific gravity of lignite is given as 1.28. Specific gravity is a measure of density relative to the density of water (which is 62.4 lbs per cubic foot). Therefore, we can find the density of lignite:

Density of lignite = Specific gravity × Density of water = 1.28 × 62.4 lbs/ft³ = 79.81 lbs/ft³.

Now, we