Can someone explain Specific Gravity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of Specific Gravity (SG), exploring its definition and the relationship between weight and density. Participants seek clarification on how both weight and density can be used to express SG, particularly in the context of equal volumes of substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant cites a source defining Specific Gravity as the weight of a substance divided by the weight of an equal volume of water, or alternatively, as the density of a substance divided by the density of water.
  • Another participant explains that as long as equal volumes are used, the ratio of weights will equal the ratio of densities, providing a mathematical breakdown of the relationship.
  • A further contribution elaborates on the formula for SG, showing how mass and volume relate to weight, and how gravitational acceleration cancels out when comparing weights of equal volumes.
  • One participant expresses initial confusion but later indicates understanding after the discussion, referencing another participant's earlier explanation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical relationships involved in defining Specific Gravity, but there is no explicit consensus on the clarity of the concept for all participants, as one expresses confusion while others provide explanations.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve potential misunderstandings regarding the definitions of weight and density, nor does it address any assumptions about gravitational conditions or the context of measurements.

PolarisNorth
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http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/14105/css/14105_20.htm
This website tells me that Specific Gravity is
weight of substance/weight of equal volume of water
or
density of substance/density of water.

Can someone explain how this is true? Density and weight are two different things so how do they both give me SG?

Please help me! I am very confused.
 
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PolarisNorth said:
Can someone explain how this is true? Density and weight are two different things so how do they both give me SG?
As long as you use equal volumes, the ratio of weights will equal the ratio of densities.

Let V stand for volume; d for density; w for weight. Then the ratio of weights will equal:

w1/w2 = (d1Vg)/(d2Vg) = d1/d2.
 
SG=density of substance/density of water
density=mass/volume,therefore:
SG=(mass/volume of substance)/(mass/volume of water)...if volumes are equal:
SG=mass of substance/mass of equal volume of water...Weight=Mg therefore:
SG=(Weight of substance/g)/(weight of equal volume of water/g) If the weighings are carried out at the same place g would be constant and cancels out..therefore:
SG=weight of substance/weight of equal volume of water.

You beat me again Doc Al:biggrin:
 
Broken down and written out, that would be:
Weight = (Density)(Volume)(Force of Gravity)
Weight = (Mass/Volume)(Volume)(Force of Gravity)
Weight = (Mass)(Force of Gravity)

Is this where w1=d1Vg and w2=d2Vg comes from?
I think this makes sense now. Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.

Edit: Nevermind. No need to answer this. Dadface answered it for me.
 

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