Dosen Pengampu : Dr. Syahril, S.Si, M.

Si

DENSITY AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY

By:

Jumira Annisa. Y

1805112721

Faculty Of Science And Education

Physical Education

Riau University

PEKANBARU
 2020

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background Of The Paper

Both density and specific gravity describe mass and may be used to
compare different substances. They are not, however, identical measures.
Specific gravity is an expression of density in relation to the density of a
standard or reference (usually water). Also, density is expressed in units
(weight relative to size) while specific gravity is a pure number or
dimensionless. Density is defined as mass per unit volume. Mass is a property
and the SI unit for density is [kg/m3]. Density is the ratio between mass and
volume of a compound. The greater the volume and mass of a compound, the
smaller its density. And vice versa, the smaller the volume and mass of a
compound, the greater the density. Most solids and liquids expand slightly
when heated and shrink a little when influenced by the addition of external
pressure (Soedojo, 1999).
Specific Gravity (Relative Density) - SG - is a dimensionless unit
defined as the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water - at a
specified temperatures.
B. Problem Formulation
1. What is Density?
2. What is Specific Gravity?
3. How to converting Between Density and Specific Gravity?

C. Purpose Of The Paper

1. To know what is density.
2. To know what is specific gravity.
3. To know how to converting between them.
 CHAPTER II
THEORY AND DISCUSSION
A. Density
It is sometimes said that iron is “heavier” than wood. This cannot really be
true since a large log clearly weighs more than an iron nail. What we should
say is that iron is more dense than wood. Density is a property of matter and
can be defined as the ratio of mass to a unit volume of matter. It's typically
expressed in units of grams per cubic centimeter, kilograms per cubic meter,
or pounds per cubic inch.The density, of a substance ( is the lowercase Greek
letter rho) is defined as its mass per unit volume:

m
ρ=
V

Where m is the mass of a sample of the substance and V its volume.

Density is a characteristic property of any pure substance. Objects made of a
particular pure substance, such as pure gold, can have any size or mass, but
the density will be the same for each. Density is a scalar property; its SI unit
is the kilogram per cubic meter. Table shows the densities of some substances
and the average densities of some objects. Note that the density of a gas (see
Air in the table) varies considerably with pressure, but the density of a liquid
(see Water) does not; that is, gases are readily compressible but liquids are
not.
We can use the concept of density, that Eq, to write the mass of an object
as :

m = ρV

and the weight of an object as :

mg = ρVg
 The SI unit for density is sometimes densities are given in Note that a
density given in must be multiplied by 1000 to give the result in For example,
the density of aluminum is which equals The densities of various substances
are given in Table. The Table specifies temperature and atmospheric pressure
because they affect density (the effect is slight for liquids and solids). Note
that air is about 1000 times less dense than water.

So, which weighs more, a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks? This old riddle
plays with the distinction between mass and density. A ton is a ton, of course;
but bricks have much greater density than feathers, and so we are tempted to
think of them as heavier.
 The density of an object may help identify its composition. The density of
gold, for example, is about 2.5 times the density of iron, which is about 2.5
times the density of aluminum. Density also reveals something about the phase
of the matter and it substructure. Notice that the densities of liquids and solids
are roughly comparable, consistent with the fact that their atoms are in close
contact. The densities of gases are much less than those of liquids and solids,
because the atoms in gases are separated by large amounts of empty space.

Example 1: Density of a Golf ball

A golf ball has a diameter of 42 mm and a mass of 45 g. The volume of the

golf ball can be calculated as V = (4/3) π (42 [mm] * 0.001 [m/mm]/2) 3   =  3.8
10-5 [m3] The density of the golf ball can then be calculated as ρ = 45 [g] *
0.001 [kg/g] / 3.8 10-5 [m3]  = 1184 [kg/m3] .

Example 2: Using Density to Identify a Material

An unknown liquid substance has a mass of 18.5 g and occupies a volume of

23.4 ml (milliliter). The density of the substance can be calculated as ρ = (18.5
[g] /1000 [g/kg]) / (23.4 [ml] /(1000 [ml/l] * 1000[l/m 3])) = 18.5 10-3 [kg] /23.4
10-6 [m3]  = 790 [kg/m3] If we look up the densities of some common
liquids we find that ethyl alcohol - or ethanol - has a density of 789 kg/m3. The
liquid may be ethyl alcohol!

Example 3: Density to Calculate Volume Mass

The density of titanium is 4507 kg/m 3. The mass of 0.17 m3 volume titanium
can be calculated as m = 0.17 [m3] * 4507 [kg/m3]  = 766.2 [kg].

Note! - be aware that there is a difference between "bulk density" and actual

"solid or material density". This may not be clear in the description of
products. Always double check values with other sources before important
calculations.
 Suppose a block of brass and a block of wood have exactly the same mass.
If both blocks are dropped in a tank of water, why does the wood float and the
brass sink ? This occurs because the brass has a greater density than water,
whereas the wood has a lower density than water.

Density is an important characteristic of substances. It is crucial, for

example, in determining whether an object sinks or floats in a fluid. the density
of an object may help identify its composition. The density of gold, for
example, is about 2.5 times the density of iron, which is about 2.5 times the
density of aluminum. Density also reveals something about the phase of the
matter and its substructure. Notice that the densities of liquids and solids are
roughly comparable, consistent with the fact that their atoms are in close
contact.

The densities of gases are much less than those of liquids and solids,
because the atoms in gases are separated by large amounts of empty space. The
gases are displayed for a standard temperature of 0.0°C and a standard pressure
of 101.3 kPa, and there is a strong dependence of the densities on temperature
and pressure. The densities of the solids and liquids displayed are given for the
standard temperature of 0.0°C and the densities of solids and liquids depend on
the temperature. The density of solids and liquids normally increase with
decreasing temperature.

The density of a substance is not necessarily constant throughout the

volume of a substance. If the density is constant throughout a substance, the
substance is said to be a homogeneous substance. A solid iron bar is an
example of a homogeneous substance. The density is constant throughout, and
the density of any sample of the substance is the same as its average density. If
the density of a substance were not constant, the substance is said to be a
heterogeneous substance. A chunk of Swiss cheese is an example of a
heterogeneous material containing both the solid cheese and gas-filled voids.
The density at a specific location within a heterogeneous material is called
local density, and is given as a function of location, ρ = ρ(x, y, z)

Local density can be obtained by a limiting process, based on the average

density in a small volume around the point in question, taking the limit where
the size of the volume approaches zero,

Δm
ρ=lim → 0= Where ρ is the density, m is the mass, and V is the
∆v ΔV
volume. Since gases are free to expand and contract, the densities of the gases
vary considerably with temperature, whereas the densities of liquids vary little
 with temperature. Therefore, the densities of liquids are often treated as
constant, with the density equal to the average density.

Neanderthals knew no math yet knew that rock has a higher density than
wood, and used that knowledge to their advantage. Too many students believe
that density is the result of the arithmetic operation of dividing mass by
volume. This makes density an abstraction and prevents them from realizing,
among other things, that compressing something must increase the density.
They have not absorbed the concept that “density” refers to the “denseness”
with which mass is packed. End-of-chapter questions about density are almost
exclusively exercises in d=m/V. Many students who can use this equation
without any difficulty find questions that test the concept of density to be
difficult or even unfair. They do not perceive a meaning to the numerical value
of a compound’s density. Yet as an aspect of chemistry, the qualitative concept
of density is at least as important as its calculation or measurement

B. Specific Gravity

The specific gravity of a substance is defined as the ratio of the density of

that substance to the density of water at 4.0°C. Because specific gravity
(abbreviated SG) is a ratio, it is a simple number without dimensions or units.
For example (see Table 10–1), the specific gravity of lead is 11.3 The SG of
alcohol is 0.79. The concepts of density and specific gravity are especially
helpful in the study of fluids because we are not always dealing with a fixed
volume or mass. Specific gravity is a measure of density relative to the density
of a reference substance. The reference material could be anything, but the
most common reference is pure water. If a material has a specific gravity less
than 1, it will float on water. Specific gravity, also called relative density,
ratio of the density of a substance to that of a standard substance.

Specific gravity is often abbreviated as sp gr. Specific gravity is also

called relative density and is expressed by the formula:

Specific Gravitysubstance = ρsubstance/ρreference

 Why would someone want to compare the density of a substance to the
density of water? Take this example: Saltwater aquarium enthusiasts measure
the amount of salt in their water by specific gravity, where their reference
material is freshwater. Saltwater is less dense than pure water but by how
much? The number generated by a calculation of specific gravity provides the
answer.

Density is a dimensional property; therefore, when comparing the densities

of two substances, the units must be taken into consideration. For this reason, a
more convenient, dimensionless quantity called the specific gravity is often
used to compare densities. Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the density
of the material to the density of water at 4.0 °C and one atmosphere of
pressure, which is 1000 kg/m3 :

Density of material
Specific Gravity =
Density of water

The comparison uses

water because the density of water is 1 g/cm3 , which was originally used to
define the kilogram. Specific gravity, being dimensionless, provides a ready
comparison among materials without having to worry about the unit of density.
For instance, the density of aluminum is 2.7 in g/cm3 (2700 in kg/m3 ), but its
specific gravity is 2.7, regardless of the unit of density. Specific gravity is a
particularly useful quantity with regard to buoyancy, which we will discuss
later in this chapter.

The usual standard of comparison for solids and liquids is water at 4 °C

(39.2 °F), which has a density of 1.0 kg per litre (62.4 pounds per cubic
foot). Gases are commonly compared with dry air, which has a density of 1.29
grams per litre (1.29 ounces per cubic foot) under so-called standard conditions
(0 °C and a pressure of 1 standard atmosphere). For example,
liquid mercury has a density of 13.6 kg per litre; therefore, its specific gravity
is 13.6. The gas carbon dioxide, which has a density of 1.976 grams per litre
under standard conditions, has a specific gravity of 1.53 (= 1.976/1.29).
Because it is the ratio of two quantities that have the same dimensions (mass
per unit volume), specific gravity has no dimension.

Buoyancy (the ability of an object to float in water or air) is intimately

related to specific gravity. If a substance has specific gravity less than that of
a fluid, it will float on that fluid: helium-filled balloons will rise in air, oil will
form a slick on water, and lead will float on mercury. The specific gravity of a
substance is characteristic; it is the same for different samples of a substance (if
pure, the same in composition, and free from cavities or inclusions) and is used
to help identify unknown substances. Specific gravity has many other
applications: gemologists use it to distinguish similar gems; chemists, to check
on the progress of reactions and the concentration of solutions;
and auto mechanics, to test battery fluid and antifreeze.

Specific gravity is the basis of methods used throughout history to

concentrate ores. Panning, jigging, shaking, spiral separation, and heavy-
medium separation are among the methods that depend on differences in
specific gravity to obtain concentrated ore. Specific gravity is highest
in rocks rich in iron, magnesium oxide, and the heavy metals and lowest in
those rich in alkalies, silica, and water.

The ease with which specific gravity can be precisely determined leads to
its widespread use in chemical science and technology; for example,
determination of the specific gravity is part of the routine characterization of a
new liquid compound. The specific gravity of most
organic compounds containing only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen is less than
one. Among the devices used to measure specific gravity are the Westphal
balance, the pycnometer, and the hydrometer.

Example 4: Specific Gravity of Iron

The density of iron is 7850 kg/m3. The specific gravity of iron related to water
with density 1000 kg/m3 is
SG(iron) = 7850 [kg/m3] / 1000 [kg/m3]  = 7.85

Example 5: Specific Weight of Water

The density of water is 1000 kg/m3 at 4 °C (39 °F).

The specific weight in SI units is

γ = 1000 [kg/m3] * 9.81 [m/s2] = 9810 [N/m3] = 9.81 [kN/m3]

The density of water is 1.940 slugs/ft3 at 39 °F (4 °C).

The specific weight in Imperial units is

γ = 1.940 [slugs/ft3] * 32.174 [ft/s2] = 62.4 [lb/ft3]

Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of

a reference substance, which is usually water for liquids and air for gases.
When water is used, it is at its highest density, which is at 4 °C or 39.2 °F.
When air is used, it is most often room temperature air, at 20 °C or 68 °F.
Pressure is most often 1 atm. However, conditions of temperature and pressure
should be specified when stating a specific density value. Specific gravity is
also known as relative density. Specific gravity is a unitless value.
Example Values

The specific gravity of pure water at 4 °C is 1. Other values are:

 Ethanol: 0.78
 Urine: 1.003-1.035
 Blood: 1.060
 Table salt: 2.17
 Iron: 7.87
 Lead: 11.35
 Osmium: 22.59
 Specific
gravity is used to determine alcohol content of beer.

The specific gravity of a substance is the ratio of its density to a specified

reference substance. This ratio is a pure number, containing no units.

If the specific gravity ratio for a given substance is less than 1, that means
the material will float in the reference substance. When the specific gravity
ratio for a given material is greater than 1, that means the material will sink in
the reference substance.

This is related to the concept of buoyancy. The iceberg floats in the ocean
(as in the picture) because its specific gravity in reference to the water is less
than 1.

This rising vs. sinking phenomenon is the reason that the term "specific
gravity" is applied, although gravity itself plays no significant role in this
process. Even in a substantially different gravitational field, the density
relationships would be unchanged. For this reason, it would be far better to
apply the term "relative density" between two substances, but for historical
reasons, the term "specific gravity" has stuck around.

Calculation

When determining relative density, the temperature and pressure of the

sample and reference should be specified. Usually the pressure is 1 am or
101.325 Pa.
The basic formula for RD or SG is:

RD = ρsubstance / ρreference

If a difference reference is not identified, it may be assumed to be water at

4 °C.

Instruments used to measure relative density include hydrometers and

pycnometers. In addition, digital density meters may be used, based on a
variety of principles.

Specific Gravity for Fluids

For fluids, the reference substance is usually the water, with a density
of 1.00 x 103 kg/m3 at 4 degrees Celsius (water's densest temperature), used to
determine whether or not the fluid will sink or float in water. In homework, this
is usually assumed to be the reference substance when working with liquids.
Specific Gravity for Gases
For gases, the reference substance is usually normal air at room
temperature, which has a density of approximately 1.20 kg/m 3. In homework, if
the reference substance is not specified for a specific gravity problem, it is
usually safe to assume that you are using this as your reference substance.
Equations for Specific Gravity
The specific gravity (SG) is a ratio of the density of the substance of
interest (ρi) to the density of the reference substance (ρr). (Note: The Greek
symbol rho, ρ, is commonly used to represent density.) That can be determined
using the following formula:

SG = ρi ÷ ρr = ρi / ρr
Now, considering that the density is calculated from mass and volume
through the equation ρ = m/V, this means that if you took two substances of the
same volume, the SG could be rewritten as a ratio of their individual masses:

SG = ρi / ρr
SG = mi/V / mr/V
SG = mi / mr
 And, since the weight W = mg, that leads to a formula written as a ratio of
weights:
SG = mi / mr
SG = mig / mrg
SG = Wi / Wr
It is important to remember that this equation only works with our earlier
assumption that the volume of the two substances is equal, so when we talk
about the weights of the two substances in this last equation, it is the weight
of equal volumes of the two substances.
So if we wanted to find out the specific gravity of ethanol to water, and we
know the weight of one gallon of water, then we would need to know the
weight of one gallon of ethanol to complete the calculation. Or, alternately, if
we knew the specific gravity of ethanol to water, and knew the weight of one
gallon of water, we could use this last formula to find the weight of one
gallon of ethanol. (And, knowing that, we could use it to find the weight of
another volume of ethanol by converting. These are the sorts of tricks that
you may well find among homework problems that incorporate these
concepts.)

Applications of Specific Gravity

Specific gravity is a concept that shows up in a variety of industrial

applications, particularly as it relates to fluid dynamics. For example, if
you've ever taken your car in for service and the mechanic showed you how
small plastic balls floated in your transmission fluid, you've seen specific
gravity in action.

Depending on the specific application in question, those industries may

use the concept with a different reference substance than water or air. The
earlier assumptions applied only to homework. When you are working on a
 real project, you should know for sure what your specific gravity is in
reference to, and shouldn't have to make assumptions about it.

C. Converting Between Density and Specific Gravity

Specific gravity values aren't very useful except for predicting whether or
not something will float on water and for comparing whether one material is
more or less dense than another. However, because the density of pure water
is so close to 1 (0.9976 grams per cubic centimeter), specific gravity and
density are nearly the same value so long as the density is given in g/cc.
Density is very slightly less than specific gravity.

CHAPTER III

CONCLUSION

A. Conclusion
Density is defined as mass per unit volume. Mass is a property and the SI
unit for density is [kg/m3]. Density is the ratio between mass and volume of a
compound. The greater the volume and mass of a compound, the smaller its
density. And vice versa, the smaller the volume and mass of a compound, the
greater the density. Most solids and liquids expand slightly when heated and
shrink a little when influenced by the addition of external pressure (Soedojo,
 1999). Specific Gravity (Relative Density) - SG - is a dimensionless unit
defined as the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water - at a
specified temperatures.
There’s some people still thinking that density and specific gravity it’s the
same but on many articles or etc source, it will say that there are the
difference of density and specific gravity.

B. Suggestion
In making this paper, the authors realize there are still shortcomings
and errors caused by the limited knowledge that the author has. therefore,
the author asks for criticism and advice from the readers.

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(Accessed on May, 15 at 08.25 PM )

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