1. What is Specific Gravity of Blood?

Specific gravity of blood is a measure of the density of blood compared to the density of water. It's a dimensionless quantity that helps assess the concentration of blood components.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific gravity formula:

Where:

• \( \rho_{blood} \) — Density of blood (kg/m³)
• \( \rho_{water} \) — Density of water (1000 kg/m³ at standard conditions)
• \( SG \) — Specific gravity (dimensionless)

Explanation: The equation compares the density of blood to the density of water, with normal blood having a specific gravity slightly greater than 1 due to dissolved solutes and cellular components.

3. Importance of Specific Gravity Measurement

Details: Blood specific gravity is important in clinical settings for assessing hydration status, detecting abnormal protein concentrations, and evaluating blood disorders. It can also be used in forensic investigations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter blood density in kg/m³ (normal range approximately 1050-1060 kg/m³) and water density (typically 1000 kg/m³). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the normal specific gravity of blood?
A: Normal specific gravity of human blood ranges from 1.050 to 1.060 at 20°C.

Q2: How does specific gravity relate to hematocrit?
A: Higher hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells) generally increases blood specific gravity.

Q3: What affects blood specific gravity?
A: Factors include protein concentration, cellular components, hydration status, and temperature.

Q4: How is blood density measured?
A: Common methods include oscillating U-tube densitometers or pycnometers.

Q5: Why use water as reference?
A: Water has a well-defined density (1000 kg/m³ at 4°C) and serves as a universal reference for specific gravity measurements.