Specific Gravity Calculator

Specific Gravity Formula:

\[ SG = \frac{\text{Density Substance}}{\text{Density Water}} \]

Specific Gravity (SG):

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1. What is Specific Gravity?

Specific Gravity (SG) is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (typically water at 4°C). It indicates whether a substance will float or sink in water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Specific Gravity formula:

\[ SG = \frac{\text{Density Substance}}{\text{Density Water}} \]

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula compares the density of any substance to the density of water, providing a relative measure of density.

3. Importance of Specific Gravity Calculation

Details: Specific gravity is crucial in various fields including geology, chemistry, brewing, and medicine. It helps identify minerals, assess urine concentration, measure alcohol content, and determine material purity.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a specific gravity less than 1 indicate?
A: A specific gravity less than 1 means the substance is less dense than water and will float.

Q2: What does a specific gravity greater than 1 indicate?
A: A specific gravity greater than 1 means the substance is denser than water and will sink.

Q3: Why is water used as the reference substance?
A: Water is used because it's abundant, well-studied, and has a consistent density of 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C.

Q4: How does temperature affect specific gravity measurements?
A: Temperature affects density, so measurements should be taken at standard temperatures (usually 4°C for water reference) or corrected for temperature variations.

Q5: What are some common applications of specific gravity?
A: Common applications include urine analysis in medicine, battery testing, brewing industry, geology, and quality control in various manufacturing processes.