The specific gravity of a substance is the ratio of the substance's density to the density of water. The density of water is 1 gram per cubic centimeter (1 g/cm3), so the specific gravity of a substance is simply its density in grams per cubic centimeter divided by 1.
For example, the density of gold is 19.3 g/cm3, so its specific gravity is 19.3. The density of lead is 11.3 g/cm3, so its specific gravity is 11.3.
The specific gravity of a substance can be used to estimate the substance's weight per unit volume. For example, if you know that the specific gravity of gold is 19.3, you can estimate that a gold nugget that is 1 cubic centimeter in size would weigh about 19.3 grams. What is specific gravity SI unit? The International System of Units (SI) defines the specific gravity of a material as the ratio of the material's density to the density of water. The SI unit of specific gravity is kg/m3. What is specific gravity and why is it important? The specific gravity of a substance is the ratio of the density of the substance to the density of a reference substance. The reference substance is typically water. The specific gravity of a substance is important because it is a measure of the substance's density, which is a key factor in determining the substance's properties and behavior. The specific gravity of a substance can be used to predict the substance's behavior in various situations, such as its behavior in a given fluid, its solubility in a given fluid, and its interaction with other substances. What is specific gravity of water? The specific gravity of water is 1.0.
Why it is called specific gravity?
The term "specific gravity" is derived from the Latin word gravitas, which means "weight". The specific gravity of a substance is the ratio of its weight to the weight of an equal volume of water.
The specific gravity of a substance is often used to determine its purity. For example, the specific gravity of gold is 19.3, which means that it is 19.3 times heavier than an equal volume of water.
How do you measure specific gravity?
There are a few ways to measure specific gravity, but the most common is to use a hydrometer. A hydrometer is a simple instrument that consists of a graduated cylinder (a tube with markings that indicate volume) and a weight at the bottom. The weight is calibrated so that it will sink to a specific depth in a liquid of known density.
To use a hydrometer, you first need to know the density of the liquid you're measuring. This can be done by measuring the liquid's weight and volume, or by looking up the density in a reference book. Once you know the density, you can calibrate the hydrometer by floating it in the liquid and adjusting the weight until it sinks to the correct depth.
Once the hydrometer is calibrated, you can use it to measure the specific gravity of another liquid by floating it in the liquid and reading the markings on the graduated cylinder. The specific gravity is the ratio of the liquid's density to the density of water.