Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance. It is also known as relative density.
To calculate specific gravity, divide the density of the substance by the density of the reference substance. In this case, the specific gravity of cork can be calculated by dividing its density of 0.25 g/cc by the density of the reference substance (usually water) which is 1 g/cc. This gives us a specific gravity of 0.25.
Specific gravity is important in many applications, such as determining the purity of a substance, identifying unknown substances, and in industrial processes. It can also provide valuable information about the physical properties of a substance.
Specific gravity can be measured using a hydrometer, which is a device that measures the density of a liquid. The hydrometer is floated in the liquid and the specific gravity is read from a scale on the device.
The specific gravity of cork being 0.25 g/cc means that it is less dense than water (1 g/cc). This is why cork floats on water. It also means that cork is a lightweight material, making it suitable for various applications such as insulation, flooring, and wine bottle stoppers.