Which of the following best describes specific gravity?

Which of the following best describes specific gravity?

• A. The ratio of a substance's volume to its mass
• B. The ratio of a substance's weight to that of water at equal volume
• C. The measurement of a substance's solubility
• D. The measurement of how fast a substance melts

Answer: (B)

Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of a substance's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water. This measurement provides a comparative understanding of how dense a substance is in relation to water, which has a specific gravity of 1. If a substance has a specific gravity greater than 1, it will be denser than water and sink, while if it has a specific gravity less than 1, it will be less dense and float. This concept is important in water treatment practices, as it helps operators understand the buoyancy and behavior of various materials in water, influencing separation processes and treatment efficiency. The other options do not accurately define specific gravity: the description of a substance's volume to its mass misrepresents its fundamental concept; solubility pertains to how well a substance dissolves in another rather than its density; and the measurement of how fast a substance melts refers to its melting point, which is unrelated to specific gravity. Understanding specific gravity helps water operators make informed decisions based on the physical properties of the materials they are working with.

Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of a substance's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water. This measurement provides a comparative understanding of how dense a substance is in relation to water, which has a specific gravity of 1. If a substance has a specific gravity greater than 1, it will be denser than water and sink, while if it has a specific gravity less than 1, it will be less dense and float. This concept is important in water treatment practices, as it helps operators understand the buoyancy and behavior of various materials in water, influencing separation processes and treatment efficiency.

The other options do not accurately define specific gravity: the description of a substance's volume to its mass misrepresents its fundamental concept; solubility pertains to how well a substance dissolves in another rather than its density; and the measurement of how fast a substance melts refers to its melting point, which is unrelated to specific gravity. Understanding specific gravity helps water operators make informed decisions based on the physical properties of the materials they are working with.