Specific Gravity

A TECHNICAL REPORT
ON
DENSITIES AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY
OF A LIQUID
DEPARTMENT: ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
COURSE CODE: ELE 283 (CIVIL ASPECT)
GROUP NUMBER: GROUP 3
NAME OF EXPERIMENT : MEASUREMENT OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY USING

HYDROMETER
DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 17TH OF AUGUST 2021 (17/08/2021)
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 24TH OF AUGUST 2021 (21/08/2021)
INSTRUCTORS:
• ENGINEER ADIO YUSUF
• ENGINEER ALASINRIN
• MR JAMIU
TITLE OF EXPERIMENT
Specific Gravity Measurement
by
Hydrometer Method.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
TO DETERMINE DENSITIES AND SPECIFIC
GRAVITY.
DIAGRAM AND APPARATUS
DIAGRAM OF A HYDROMETER
THEORY
Specific gravity, also called relative density is the ratio of density
(mass of a unit volume) of a liquid to the density of a given reference
liquid(water).
The specific gravity of liquid is most times measured with respect to
water at its densest (at 4°C or 39.2°F).
ρliquid
S.G = ρ
water
S.G = Specific gravity.

ρsubstance = density of the substance being measured.
ρwater = density of water.
A hydrometer is an instrument used to determine specific
gravity. It operates based on the Archimedes principle that solid body
displaces its own weight within a liquid in which it floats. The lower the
density of the fluid, the deeper the hydrometer sinks; the stem is cali-
brated to give a numerical reading.
In the standard hydrometer scale, known as the specific gravity scale,
distilled water equals 1.000, the initial point of the measurement. Liq-
uids lighter than water are scaled below 1.000, and the liquids heavier
than water are scaled above 1.000 specific gravity.
PROCEDURES
1. Fill one hydrometer jar with sufficient water to float the hy-
drometer and check that the scale marking corresponding to
depth of immersion reads 1.00.
2. Fill two other hydrometer jars each with the glycerol and
engine oil sufficient enough to float the hydrometer and note
for each liquid the scale reading.
DATA AND CALCULATION
Barometric Pressure = 722 mmHg
Temperature = 26 °C
S/N Liquid Specific gravity

1 Water 1.00
2 Glycerol 1.10
3 Engine oil 0.95
Density of Substance ρliquid

Specific gravity, S.G = Density of Liquid
= ρwater
ρliquid = ρwater ×S .G
ρwater = 1g/cm3 = 1000kg/m3
S/N Liquid g/ml Density ρ

(Kg/m3)
1 Water 1.00 1000
2 Glycerol 1.1 1100
3 Engine Oil 0.95 950
a) Glycerol
ρGlycerol = 1.10 x 1000
= 1100 kg/m3
b) Engine oil
ρEngine oil = 0.95 x 1000
= 950kg/m3
OBSERVATION
From the experiment carried out, it was observed that the hy-
drometer sinks differently in different liquids based on the density
and viscosity of the liquids. That is, the higher the density , the less
it sinks and vice versa.
PRECAUTION
• Parallax error was avoided while taking readings from the hy-
drometer.
• It was ensured that the hydrometer was dry and clean before in-
serting it in jar containing the liquids.
• It was ensured that the hydrometer jar was balanced when

placed on the table.
• It was ensured that the hydrometer was upright while taking the
readings.
ERROR
• Parallax error.
• Error due to the apparatus used.
• Human error while performing the experiment.
• Unbalanced apparatus.
• Error due to atmospheric condition (temperature and

pressure).
CONCLUSION
The objective of this experiment was achieved since we were
able to determine the specific gravity and densities of water,
glycerol and engine oil with the use of a hydrometer. From the
experiment, the specific gravity and density of water was found
to be 1.00 and 1000 kg/m3 respectively, glycerol; 1.10 and 1100
kg/m3 respectively and engine oil; 0.95 and 950 kg/m3 respec-
tively.
Therefore we can infer from this experiment that specific grav-
ity can be used to determine the density of a liquid.
POST LAB ASSIGNMENT
1. Three applications for measurement of densities.
Ans:
• To determine whether or not an object will float on
water.
• To determine the concentration of alcohol in spirits.
• To control fermentation process in wine and beer
production
2. Suggest a suitable title for this experiment?
ANS:
Specific Gravity Measurement by Hydrometer Method.
3. What is the effect of Barometric Pressure and Temperature

on this Experiment?
ANS:
Changes in the pressure and temperature affect the density
of objects and liquids, thereby affecting the specific gravity of
objects and liquids. Standard temperature and pressure are
used in the calculation of specific gravity. If failed to regulate
the outside influences, then the specific gravity will change.

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A TECHNICAL REPORT

DENSITIES AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY

COURSE CODE: ELE 283 (CIVIL ASPECT)

GROUP NUMBER: GROUP 3

NAME OF EXPERIMENT : MEASUREMENT OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY USING

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 17TH OF AUGUST 2021 (17/08/2021)

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 24TH OF AUGUST 2021 (21/08/2021)

S.G = Specific gravity.

S/N Liquid Specific gravity

Density of Substance ρliquid

ρwater = 1g/cm3 = 1000kg/m3

S/N Liquid g/ml Density ρ

• It was ensured that the hydrometer jar was balanced when

• Error due to the apparatus used.

• Human error while performing the experiment.

• Error due to atmospheric condition (temperature and

2. Suggest a suitable title for this experiment?

3. What is the effect of Barometric Pressure and Temperature

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