Aim:

The aim of this experiment is to determine the specific gravity by hydrometer then
converted it for density of liquid by equation.

Theory:

A hydrometer measures the specific gravity (or relative density) of liquids; that is, the
ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of water. Hydrometers are primarily
used to determine the density of an unknown liquid. Specific Gravity = Density g/cm3
over 1 g/cm3

The device simply consists of a weighted, stem, long-necked glass bulb immersed in
the measured fluid; the flotation depth indicates liquid volume, and the neck can be
calibrated to read pressure, actual gravity, and any other associated feature.

This principle states that a body (the hydrometer) immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by
a force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. The hydrometer measures the
weight of the liquid displaced by the volume of the hydrometer.

1
Apparatus:

Hydrometer: an instrument that is dropped in a liquid to measure it is specific

gravity. Fig 1

Graduated cylinder: it is used for determination liquid volume. Fig 2

Materials:

Fresh water: it is a water with less than about 600ppm total dissolves solids.Suitable
for drinking. Fig 3

Salt water: it is a water that contains a large quantity of salt like as brine. Fig 4

Diesel fuel: a light hydrocarbon mixture for diesel engines, it has a boiling range just
above that of kerosene. Fig 5

fig 1 hydrometer fig 2 cylinder

fig 5 diesel fig 4 salt water fig 3 fresh wate

2
Procedure:

 Give the cylinder and fill it by 500cc of fresh water, salt water or diesel.
 Determine which hydrometer is used for test for determination a scale.
 Gradually immerse the hydrometer into the center of the cylinder until the
surface level directly contacts the stem.
 Keep the hydrometer free-floating in the center of the cylinder.
 Then measure the specific gravity on the scale of hydrometer.
 After measurement, carefully remove the hydrometer from the cylinder by the
stem.

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Calculation:

4
 Result and Discussion:
Table 1 result

Test Scale of Volume of Specific Density Mass

hydrometer water cc gravity Gm/cc gm
Salt water 1.1 -1.2 500 1.135 1.135 576.5
Fresh water 0.9-1 500 0.995 0.995 497.5
Diesel 0.8-0.9 500 0.818 0.818 409

Unit and equation:

Volume=cc , density=mass/volume

Mass= Gm SG=density of fluid/density of water

Sp(specific gravity)=gm/cc

Density=gm/cc

Discussion:

 Specific gravity of hydrometer A is a (0.815) gm/ml and this hydrometer is

used for determination specific gravity of diesel.
 SG of hydrometer B is a (1.45) gm/ml. it is used for this liquid will be have
high density.
 SG of hydrometer C is a (1.15) gm/ml .it is used for determination density of
salt water.
 SG of hydrometer D is a (0.99) gm/ml .it is used for determination density of
fresh water.

5
Conclusion:
In this lab experiment we learned how to use a hydrometer and reading that to
determination of fluid density at the lab experiment. Each hydrometer has a range
special scale for a special fluid. If we know specific gravity by hydrometer ,we can
find a density of fluid then find a mass of fluid.

References:
 Hydrometer | measurement instrument. n.d. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/hydrometer, October 7, 2019.

 lemon, k. 2013. Hydrometers- A Guide to applications and usage.

https://camblab.info/wp/index.php/hydrometers-a-guide-to-applications-
and-usage/, October 7, 2019.