1. What is the Volume of a Cylindrical Tank?

Definition: This calculator computes the volume of a cylindrical tank based on its radius and height.

Purpose: It helps engineers, designers, and students determine the capacity of cylindrical containers like water tanks, silos, or pipes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Volume (cubic units)
• \( r \) — Radius (any units)
• \( h \) — Height (same units as radius)
• \( \pi \) — Pi (approximately 3.14159)

Explanation: The formula calculates the area of the circular base (πr²) and multiplies it by the height to get the volume.

3. Importance of Cylindrical Volume Calculation

Details: Accurate volume calculations are essential for determining storage capacity, material requirements, and structural design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the radius and height in the same units. The result will be in cubic units of whatever measurement you used.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my tank is not perfectly cylindrical?
A: This formula works best for perfect cylinders. For irregular shapes, use more complex calculations or physical measurements.

Q2: Can I use different units for radius and height?
A: No, both measurements must be in the same units for accurate results.

Q3: How do I calculate volume in gallons or liters?
A: First calculate cubic units, then convert using appropriate conversion factors (1 cubic foot ≈ 7.48 gallons).

Q4: Does this work for horizontal cylinders?
A: This formula is for vertical cylinders. Horizontal cylinders require a more complex formula accounting for partial fills.

Q5: What's the precision of π in the calculation?
A: We use PHP's built-in M_PI constant which provides about 14 decimal places of precision.