Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. It is typically calculated by dividing the density of the substance by the density of water at 4 degrees Celsius. This ratio is a unitless number and can be used to compare the density of different substances.
Density is a measure of how tightly packed the molecules of a substance are, while specific gravity is a comparison of the density of a substance to that of a reference substance. Density is an absolute measurement, while specific gravity is a relative measurement.
Density is typically measured in the laboratory using a balance and a graduated cylinder or volumetric flask. The mass of the substance is measured using the balance, and the volume is measured using the graduated cylinder or volumetric flask. The density is then calculated by dividing the mass by the volume.
No, specific gravity and density are not interchangeable terms. While they are both measurements of the amount of matter in a substance, they are calculated and used in different ways. Specific gravity is used to compare the densities of different substances, while density is an absolute measurement of a substance's mass per unit volume.
Specific gravity is used in various industries, such as the food and beverage industry, to measure and monitor the quality of products. It is also used in the medical field to measure the concentration of substances in bodily fluids. In geology, specific gravity is used to identify and classify different minerals. Additionally, specific gravity is used in engineering to determine the buoyancy of objects in different fluids.