Experiment No.

2
Specific Gravity Determination
Objective:
 The activity aims to determine the specific gravity of fluids using U-tube manometer
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1. Determine the specific gravity of fluids using U-tube manometer
2. Expand the knowledge on other uses of U-Tube in other experiments.
Apply the techniques and skills in using U-Tube relevant to professional engineering practice.
Discussion:

Specific gravity of a fluid is the dimensionless ratio of specific weight y or density p of a fluid to the specific
weight ys or density ps of the standard substance,

𝑦 𝑝
𝑠= =
𝑦𝑠 𝑝𝑠

For liquids and solids, the standard substance is pure water at 4oC at which temperature, its specific
weight, ys = 9.81KN/m3 and ps = 1000 kg/m3 are at their maximum values. With these constants, equation 1.1 may
be used to compute the specific weight and density of a fluid given its specific gravity s. For gases, the standard
substance is either hydrogen or air at 0oC and under a pressure of 101.3 KPa. Air at this temperature and
pressure has ys = 12.7 N/m3 and ps = 1.29 kg/m3.

The specific gravity should not be confused with the density since these are two different properties of a
substance, the first one being dimensionless and the second having the dimensions kg/m3 or gm/cm3. In the SI
units, however, these two are numerically equal if the density is expressed in gm/cm3. For example, water has
specific gravity of unity and a density of 1 gm/cm3.

Resources/Instruments Required:

 U-tube Manometer
 Scale
 Liquids whose specific gravity are to be determined
Procedure:

1. Pour a quantity of distilled water in the U-tube glass manometer.

2. Add a quantity of soil inside the U-tube glass manometer until it stands
3. Measure the heights of water and oil inside the U-tube.
4. Using the formula derived below. Determine the unknown specific gravity of your desired liquid.

𝑝1 𝑌1 𝑝2
+ −
𝑦𝐻2𝑂 ℎ1 𝑦𝐻2𝑂
(1.2)

Points 1 and 2 and are exposed to the atmosphere, therefore, gage pressure is zero

𝑆1 𝑦𝐻2𝑂 ℎ1 = 𝑆2 𝑦𝐻2𝑂 ℎ2
(1.3)

If fluid 1 has known specific gravity, then

𝑆1 ℎ1
𝑆2 =
ℎ2
(1.4)

5. Perform steps 1 to 4 with other liquids. For heavy liquids, use mercury as standard fluid.
Data and Results:

FLUID H1 H2 H3

KEROSENE 7 9 5.7

DIESEL 7 7.85 7.3

OIL 7.3 17 9.3

Computation:

𝐻𝐾1 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 15.5 − 8.5 = 7

𝐻𝐾2 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 16.7 − 7.7 = 9
𝐻𝐾3 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 13.3 − 7.6 = 5.7
𝐻𝐷1 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 11 − 4 = 7
𝐻𝐷2 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 15.7 − 7.85 = 7.85
𝐻𝐷1 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 16.3 − 9 = 7.3
𝐻𝑂1 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 13 − 5.7 = 7.3
𝐻𝑂2 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 22.9 − 5.9 = 17
𝐻𝑂3 = 𝐻 − 𝑋 = 17 − 7.7 = 9.3

Specific Gravities:

𝐻𝑊1 8.9
𝑆. 𝐺.𝐾1 = = = 1.271
𝐻𝐾1 7

𝐻𝑊2 11.5
𝑆. 𝐺.𝐾2 = = = 1.278
𝐻𝐾2 9
 𝐻𝑊3 7.2
𝑆. 𝐺.𝐾3 = = = 1.263
𝐻𝐾3 5.7

𝐻𝐷1 8.1
𝑆. 𝐺.𝐷1 = = = 1.157
𝐻𝐷1 7

𝐻𝐷2 9.15
𝑆. 𝐺.𝐷2 = = = 1.166
𝐻𝐷2 7.85

𝐻𝐷3 8.5
𝑆. 𝐺.𝐷3 = = = 1.164
𝐻𝐷3 7.3

𝐻𝑂1 7.6
𝑆. 𝐺.𝑂1 = = = 1.041
𝐻𝑂1 7.3

𝐻𝑂2 17.4
𝑆. 𝐺.𝑂2 = = = 1.024
𝐻𝑂2 17

𝐻𝑂3 10.1
𝑆. 𝐺.𝑂3 = = = 1.086
𝐻𝑂3 9.3
Documentation:

RESOURCES AND INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED

PURING OF DISTILLED WATER

POURING OF KEROSENE
 POURING OF DIESEL

POURING OF OIL

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP

Observation:

We observe that the height difference of oil and water has a small value, while the kerosene
has the greater height difference. This might be the effect of their different specific gravity and
density. It is important to make sure that the liquid poured in the U-tube manometer did not have
bubbles because bubbles can greatly affect the data. We also observe that the kerosene, diesel,
and oil didn’t mix with water because of its different density and specific gravity. The data gathered
in all the trials conducted has a precise value. This indicate that the experiment is finely done.

Conclusion:

In the experiment performed, we obtained the specific gravity of different kinds of liquid
namely; kerosene, diesel and oil. The liquid with the largest specific gravity is the kerosene with an
average of 1.27, it simply state that the kerosene is denser than the other two liquids. While the
diesel liquid has an average of 1.16 specific gravity and the oil has an average of 1.05 specific
gravity.
When the specific gravity of the liquid is equal to zero, the liquid must be a water. If the
specific gravity is less than 1 the liquid will float when mix with water, and if the specific gravity is
greater than 1, the liquid will sink if it is mix water.
Assessment: (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

CRITERIA BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT SCORE

1 2 3

I. Laboratory Skills

Manipulative Members do not demonstrate Members occasionally demonstrate Members always demonstrate
Skills needed skills. needed skills. needed skills.

Experimental Members are unable to set-up the Members are able to set-up the Members are able to set-up the
Set-up materials. materials with supervision. materials with minimum supervision.

Process Skills Members do not demonstrate Members occasionally demonstrate Members always demonstrate
targeted process skills. targeted process skills. targeted process skills.

Safety Members do not follow safety Members follow safety precautions Members follow safety precautions
Precautions precautions. most of the time. all the time.

II. Work Habits

Time Members do not finish on time with Members finish on time with Members finish ahead of time with
Management/ incomplete data. incomplete data. complete data and time to revise
Conduct of data.
Experiment
Cooperative Members do not know their tasks Members have defined Members are on tasks and have
and Teamwork and have no defined responsibilities most of the time. defined responsibilities at all times.
responsibilities. Group conflicts Group conflicts are cooperatively Group conflicts are cooperatively
have to be settled by the teacher. managed most of the time. managed at all times.

Neatness and Messy workplace during and after Clean and orderly workplace with Clean and orderly workplace at all
Orderliness the experiment. occasional mess during and after times during and after the
the experiment. experiment.
Ability to do Members require supervision by the Members require occasional Members do not need to be
independent teacher. supervision by the teacher. supervised by the teacher.
work.
Other Comments / Observations: TOTAL SCORE

(𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒)
RATING = x 100%
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