Understanding Specific Gravity
Specific gravity, also known as relative density, is the ratio of a substance's density to the density of a reference substance, typically water at 4°C (1 g/cm³ for liquids/solids) or air for gases.
It is dimensionless (no units) since it compares like quantities, helping determine if materials float or sink—values below 1 indicate lighter than water
Calculation Formula
For example, mercury's density (13.6 g/cm³) gives a specific gravity of 13.6, meaning it's 13.6 times denser than water.
Gases like CO₂ have values around 1.53 relative to air.
Measurement Methods
Hydrometer: Floats in liquid; reads directly on scale based on buoyancy.
Pycnometer: Weighs precise volume of liquid.
Displacement: Submerges sample in water, applies Archimedes' principle
This concept applies to seat foams, where densities (e.g., 25-60 kg/m³) convert to specific gravities of 0.025-0.060 versus water, explaining firmness variations in UK motorcycle foams [ from prior].
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