December 6, 2020

University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar

(UETP)

Department of Mining Engineering

(ME)

LAB REPORT – 02

Course Title: Strata Control

Report Name: Determination of Density and Specific Gravity of Given Rock
Sample

Submitted To:
Engr. Zahid-ur-Rehman
Dept. of Mining Engineering
Submitted By:
Bilal Ahmad
7th Semester
Reg. No. 17PWMIN0806
Dept. of Mining Engineering

Date of Submission: December 6, 2020

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Table of Contents
Determination of Density and Specific Gravity of Given Rock Sample......................................................3
Aim:........................................................................................................................................................3
Apparatus:...............................................................................................................................................3
Theory:....................................................................................................................................................3
Density:...............................................................................................................................................3
Density of Water:................................................................................................................................3
Density of Liquids:..............................................................................................................................3
Density Chart:......................................................................................................................................3
Procedure:............................................................................................................................................4
Observation and Calculation:...............................................................................................................4
Specific Gravity:..................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion:..........................................................................................................................................6
References:..........................................................................................................................................6

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 December 6, 2020

Determination of Density and Specific Gravity of Given Rock Sample

Aim:
 To know why we have to find the density of the rock sample and how it will be helpful.
 To know how to find the density and specific gravity of the rock sample.

Apparatus:
 Digital balance with accuracy of 0.01 g and range of 100.
 Caliper with accuracy of 0.1mm.
 Sample container
 Graduated cylinder

Theory:
Density:
The density of material shows the denseness of that material in a specific given area. A
material’s density is defined as its mass per unit volume. Density is essentially a measurement of
how tightly matter is packed together. It is a unique physical property for a particular object. The
principle of density was discovered by the Greek scientist Archimedes. It is easy to calculate
density if you know the formula and understand its related units.
Mathematically:
The density is expressed as
Mass
Density=
Volume
Density of Water:
The definitions of the sizes of a cubic centimeter and a gram were made such that the density of
water in the metric system is equal to 1. It was defined that 1 cubic centimeter of water weighs 1
gram. Thus, the density of pure water is:
ρ = m/V = 1 gram/1 cc = 1.0 g/cm3
Since a quantity of water changes with temperature, 4°C, the point where water is the most
contracted, was selected as the temperature of water for this measurement.
Density of Liquids:
Liquids are often and kilograms per liter (kg/L) or grams per milliliter (g/mL). A milliliter is the
volume a liquid and is equal to 1 cm3. A liter is 1000 mL and this 1 L = 1000 cm3. The reason
liters and milliliters are used in finding the density of liquids is that it is easy to measure the
volume by pouring the liquid into a standard container.
Density Chart:

State Material Density (g/cm3)

Solids
Gold 19.3
Iron 7.8
Aluminum 2.7

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Ice (0OC) 0.92

Liquids
Mercury 13.6
Seawater 1.03
Water (5OC) 1.00
Ethyl Alcohol 0.81
Gases (Kg/m3)
Air (0OC) 1.29
Air (10OC) 1.25
Hydrogen (0OC) 0.090
Helium (0OC) 0.178

Procedure:
1 – Prepare three specimens of regular form a representative sample of rock. The size of the
specimens should be such that both following conditions are fulfilled.
2 – The specimen mass should be at least 50 g (cube of 3x3x3cm3, or cylinder with diameter of
2.5 cm and length 5 cm).
3 – The minimum specimen dimension should be at least ten times the maximum grain size of
the rock.
4 – After preparing the samples, the weight (gram) of each sample is determined using digital
balance.
5 - The specimen volume (V) is calculated from the average value of several calipers’ readings
(3 at least,) with an accuracy of 0.1 mm) for each dimension of the specimens.
6 – The volume of an irregularly shaped object can be determined by measuring the amount of
water it displaces.
7 – Fill a graduated cylinder about halfway with water. Note the level of the water. Submerge
your sample and mark the new water level.
Observation and Calculation:
Measuring the mass:
Trial Sample 1 mass Sample 2 mass Sample 3 mass
(gram) (gram) (gram)
1 468 356 398
2 470 354 401
3 465 357 397
Average 467.67 355.67 398.67

Measuring the volume:

Regular body:
Trial Length (cm) Width (cm) Height (cm)
1 3.2 3.2 6
2 3.1 3.3 6.1

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3 3 3.1 5.9
Average 3.1 3.2 6

Measuring the volume:

Irregular body:
Volume (ml) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Final volume of water 25 30 40
Initial volume of water 20 24 25
Volume of water 5 6 15

Density calculation:
Specimen Volume (cm3) Mass (gram) Density (g/cc)
Sample 1 5 467.67 92.934
Sample 2 6 355.67 59.278
Sample 3 15 398.67 26.578
Average 46.983

Specific Gravity:
Specific gravity of a material is defined as the ratio of the weight of a material to the weight of
an equal volume of water (both the weights are taken in air. Ratio of the density of substance to
the density of water is called specific gravity.

Rock mass is made up of several different minerals of various specific gravities. Hence, rock
specific gravity entirely depends upon:
 Mineralogical composition
 Their orientation
 Degree of crystallinity and compaction
Presence of inherited characters of micro or macro structure also influence rock specific gravity.
Thus, specific gravity of a rock is cumulative effect of the different minerals and their proportion
in the rock. Specific gravity is an important parameter and useful in computing void ratio and
porosity of rock.
S. No. Type of Rock Specific Gravity value
1 Basalt 2.21 – 2.11
2 Diabase 2.82 – 2.95
3 Gabbro 2.72 – 3.00
4 Granite 2.53 – 2.62
5 Limestone 2.67 – 2.72
6 Dolomite 2.67 – 2.72

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7 Sandstone 1.91 – 2.58

8 Shale 2.00 – 2.40
9 Gneiss 2.61 – 3.12
10 Marble 2.51 – 2.86
11 Quartzite 2.61 – 2.67
12 Schist 2.60 – 2.85
13 Slate 2.71 – 2.78

Conclusion:
So we have studied how to measure density and specific gravity of any given rock sample.
References:
[1] Lecture of sir Zahid-ur-Rehman
[2] https://www.school-for-champions.com/science/density.htm#.X8yPadgzbIV