There is a lot of confusion about the difference between density and specific gravity. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they are actually two different properties of a material. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what each term means and how they are related. We will also see how to calculate density and specific gravity for different materials. Finally, we will discuss some applications of these properties.
What is Density?
Density is a measure of how much mass an object has in a given volume. The denser an object, the more mass it has in the same amount of space. Density is often described as “the heaviness of an object.” To find an object’s density, you divide its mass by its volume. Density is measured in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3). The densest substance on Earth is osmium, which has a density of 22.6 g/cm3. The least dense substance is hydrogen, which has a density of 0.0899 g/cm3.
Density varies depending on temperature and pressure. Gases are less dense than liquids, and liquids are less dense than solids. Density also decreases as temperature increases. Densities can also be affected by changes in pressure. For example, the density of water decreases as the pressure increases. Density is an important property because it helps determine an object’s buoyancy. If an object is less dense than the fluid it’s in, it will float; if it’s denser, it will sink.
What is Specific Gravity?
Specific Gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. The reference substance is usually water for liquids and solids, and air for gases. For example, the Specific Gravity of gold is 19.3, meaning that its density is 19.3 times that of water. Specific Gravity is a unitless measure, which means that it is independent of the scale used to measure it.
Specific Gravity can be measured using a hydrometer, which consists of a graduated cylinder filled with the substance being measured and a float inside of it. The more dense the substance, the lower the float will sink. Specific Gravity can also be calculated using principles of physics and geometry. Knowing the Specific Gravity of a substance can be useful in many applications, such as determining the amount of alcohol in alcoholic beverages and determining the purity of gold.
Difference Between Density and Specific Gravity
- Density and specific gravity are both properties used to describe the same material. However, they are not the same. Density is a measure of the mass of a material per unit volume. Specific gravity is a measure of the ratio of the density of a material to the density of water. Therefore, specific gravity is a unitless number. Density is measured in units of mass per unit volume, such as grams per cubic centimeter or pounds per cubic foot.
- The densities of all materials are derived from the atomic and molecular structure of matter. The atoms and molecules that make up a material are in constant random motion. The more atoms or molecules in a given space, the greater the density. Density is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on the size or shape of the sample or object being measured.
- Specific gravity is also an intensive property. It is defined as the ratio of two densities: the density of a material and the density of water. As long as both densities are measured under identical conditions ( temperature, pressure, etc.), the specific gravity will be independent of the size or shape of either sample being compared.
Conclusion
In conclusion, density and specific gravity are two different measures of the same characteristic of a substance. Density is the mass per unit volume, while specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water. They both have their uses in various industries, but it is important to understand the difference between them so that you can use them correctly.
