1. What is Specific Gravity?

Specific gravity (SG) is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (typically water for liquids and solids). For water, the specific gravity is 1 by definition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific gravity formula:

Where:

• \( SG \) — Specific gravity (dimensionless)
• \( \rho_{substance} \) — Density of the substance (g/cm³)
• \( \rho_{water} \) — Density of water (1 g/cm³ at standard conditions)

Explanation: Since water's density is 1 g/cm³, the specific gravity of any substance is numerically equal to its density in g/cm³.

3. Importance of Specific Gravity

Details: Specific gravity is important in many fields including chemistry, geology, brewing, and medicine. It helps identify substances, assess purity, and determine concentrations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the density of your substance in g/cm³. The calculator will compute the specific gravity relative to water. Density must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is water's specific gravity 1?
A: Water is used as the reference substance, so by definition its specific gravity is 1 at standard conditions (4°C, 1 atm).

Q2: What does a specific gravity less than 1 mean?
A: It means the substance is less dense than water and will float on water.

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

Q4: What are common uses of specific gravity?
A: Used in urine tests (medical), battery fluid checks, antifreeze testing, and determining alcohol content in beverages.

Q5: How is specific gravity different from density?
A: Density has units (g/cm³), while specific gravity is dimensionless (a ratio without units).