What is specific gravity?

What is specific gravity?

• A. The density of air compared to water
• B. The weight of a substance compared to the weight of an equal volume of water
• C. The boiling point of a chemical solution
• D. The specific heat required to evaporate water

Answer: (B)

Specific gravity is defined as the weight of a substance compared to the weight of an equal volume of water. This measurement is dimensionless, as it is a ratio of two densities, and it allows for the comparison of the density of a substance to that of water without the need for units. Since the density of water is typically around 1 g/cm³ at standard temperature and pressure, a substance with a specific gravity greater than 1 is denser than water, while a substance with a specific gravity less than 1 is less dense than water. Understanding specific gravity is crucial in various applications in water treatment and environmental science, as it affects the behavior of substances in water and can influence processes such as separation and purification. The other provided choices relate to different concepts. The density of air compared to water is a distinct measurement that doesn't directly address the relationship between weight and volume. The boiling point refers to a temperature measurement, and specific heat is related to the energy required to change the temperature of a substance, thus, these concepts do not define specific gravity.

Specific gravity is defined as the weight of a substance compared to the weight of an equal volume of water. This measurement is dimensionless, as it is a ratio of two densities, and it allows for the comparison of the density of a substance to that of water without the need for units. Since the density of water is typically around 1 g/cm³ at standard temperature and pressure, a substance with a specific gravity greater than 1 is denser than water, while a substance with a specific gravity less than 1 is less dense than water.

Understanding specific gravity is crucial in various applications in water treatment and environmental science, as it affects the behavior of substances in water and can influence processes such as separation and purification.

The other provided choices relate to different concepts. The density of air compared to water is a distinct measurement that doesn't directly address the relationship between weight and volume. The boiling point refers to a temperature measurement, and specific heat is related to the energy required to change the temperature of a substance, thus, these concepts do not define specific gravity.