Density, Weight and Volume.

I purchased a visco elastic (memory foam) mattress topper to put on top of my queen sized bed. The advertised dimensions of the topper are 76 inches x 56 inches x 4 inches and the advertised density of the foam is 4 pounds per cubic foot. I calculate that the topper should weigh about 38 pounds. The topper that was delivered to my house only weighs about 5 pounds. The topper is delivered in a very compressed state. The delivered topper's plastic packaging causes the topper to be a cylindrical shape measuring approximately 15 inches tall by 12 inches in diameter. Would the compressed state account for the weight discrepancy. Ie when the topper is released from its packaging and allowed to expand to its normal decompressed state on top of the bed, will the topper weigh 38 pounds? I don't think so, but I thought I would ask. Your answer would be greatly appreciated. I can't relese the topper from its packaging and then subsequently return it. You can't put that genie back in the bottle. Thanks John
- john (age 19)
toronto, ontario, canada

Dear John,

Your arithmetic is impeccable, unlike the advertiser's veracity.

 

LeeH

(published on 12/01/2014)