1. What is Specific Gravity?

Specific Gravity (SG) is a dimensionless quantity that compares the density of a substance to the density of water. It indicates whether a substance will float or sink in water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Specific Gravity formula:

Where:

• \( \rho_{\text{liquid}} \) — Density of the liquid (kg/m³)
• \( \rho_{\text{water}} \) — Density of water (typically 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C)
• \( SG \) — Specific Gravity (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula simply divides the density of the liquid by the density of water to get a ratio.

3. Importance of Specific Gravity

Details: Specific gravity is used in many industries including brewing, petroleum, chemistry, and medicine. It helps identify substances, determine purity, and calculate concentrations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the density of your liquid in kg/m³ and the density of water (default is 1000 kg/m³). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a specific gravity of 1.0 mean?
A: A specific gravity of 1.0 means the substance has the same density as water (will neither sink nor float).

Q2: What is the specific gravity of common liquids?
A: Examples: Ethanol (0.789), Milk (1.035), Sea Water (1.025), Gasoline (0.74).

Q3: Does temperature affect specific gravity?
A: Yes, since density changes with temperature. Measurements should specify the temperature at which they were taken.

Q4: How is specific gravity different from density?
A: Density has units (kg/m³), while specific gravity is a dimensionless ratio comparing to water's density.

Q5: Why is water density typically 1000 kg/m³?
A: Pure water has a density of exactly 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C (its temperature of maximum density).