Hydrometer

Calibration
By: Betsy Sulamita Torres Neri.
What is a Hydrometer?
A hydrometer is an instrument used for the
measurement of the density of liquids, usually
constructed of glass or some type of colorless
material. It consists of a thin tube or neck (stem),
with a graduated scale and an elongated bulb-
shaped body which contains at the bottom a
counterweight material, or ballast, of constant
mass, usually lead, allowing it to float in a vertical
position when immersed in a liquid.
Calibration of hydrometers
The calibration of hydrometers is based on
Archimedes' principle where the mass
value of the instrument is evaluated both in
air and in a liquid, preferably of known
density, with which it is possible to verify
the behavior of the graduated scale of the
instrument when a displacement of this
liquid occurs. This method is known as
Cuckow's method.
 Mass of the
hydrometer in air
The procedure is developed as follows:
1. The neck diameter of the hydrometer is measured three
times at the points of the scale to be calibrated (10 %, 50
%, and 90 %), the average of the three measurements will
be the diameter of the point to be calibrated.

2. A metallic support is placed to the hydrometer and it is

suspended hanging under an analytical balance that
previously has been tared. Take at least three
measurements of the mass value, the average of these
measurements will be the mass value of the hydrometer ).

3. Select mass standards that together add up to a mass value

close to the mass of the hydrometer ).
 Mass of the
hydrometer in air
4. The suspended hydrometer is placed hanging below the
analytical balance and the value of the mass of the hydrometer
is noted, this measurement will be the value of the reference
mass of the hydrometer in air (m1).

5. The hydrometer is removed from the balance and the weights

are placed on it. The value of the mass of the weights is noted,
this measurement will be the value of the mass of the
hydrometer standards in air (mcpesas1).

6. The value of the ambient conditions in each of the

measurements is noted, this will determine the value of the air
density (ρair1).

7. Steps 4, 5 and 6 are repeated at least five times, the average of

these measurements will determine the value of the
hydrometer mass to air or dry mass (maire) as follows.
 Mass of the
Where: hydrometer in air
mass of hydrometer due to weighing in air
(mass of hydrometer in air).

conventional mass of the standards.

density of the air measured at the moment
when the mass of the hydrometer in the air
is measured.
density of the material of the weights used
as standards.
difference in mass reading .
Block diagram of the mass
calibration of air
1
hydrometers
2
The diameter of the A metal bracket is attached to
hydrometer neck is the hydrometer and it is
measured suspended under a scale

4 3
The hydrometer is placed
Mass standards are
suspended below the
analytical balance selected

5 6
Remove the hydrometer from The value of the
the balance and place the ambient conditions is
weights on it noted
7
Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6
at least five times
Hydrometer submerged mass
1. The container that will contain the hydrometer is filled with the measuring
liquid to a volume adequate for the hydrometer to float freely without colliding
with the walls. An instrument to measure the temperature of the liquid and the
hydrometer are placed inside the container and left to stabilize for at least eight
hours.

2. The submerged hydrometer is suspended below the analytical balance, which

has been previously tared, and the meniscus formed in the upper horizontal
level of the measuring liquid is adjusted to the point of the scale to be
measured. At least three measurements of the mass value are taken, the average
of these measurements will be the mass value of the hydrometer .

3. Mass standards are selected that together add up to a mass value close to the
hydrometer mass .

4. The submerged hydrometer is placed suspended below the analytical balance

and the value of the mass of the hydrometer is noted, this measurement will be
the value of the reference mass of the submerged hydrometer
Hydrometer submerged mass
5. The hydrometer is removed from the balance and the weights are placed
on it. The value of the mass of the weights is noted, this measurement
will be the value of the mass of the standards of the submerged
hydrometer .

6. The value of the ambient conditions in each of the measurements is

noted, this will determine the value of the air density .

7. Steps 4, 5 and 6 are repeated at least five times, the average of these
measurements will determine the value of the submerged hydrometer
mass or wet mass as follows.
Hydrometer submerged mass
𝑐
(
𝑚 𝑀 =𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑠 2 1 −
𝜌 𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑒 2
𝜌 𝑝𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑠
+ ∆𝑚
) 2

Where:

mass of hydrometer due to weighing in the

liquid (submerged mass).

conventional mass of the standards.

density of the air measured at the moment
when the mass of the hydrometer are
submerged is measured.
density of the material of the weights used
as standards.
difference in mass reading .
 Hydrometer submerged mass
block diagram
1 2 3
The submerged hydrometer is
Fill the container that will Mass standards are
suspended below the
contain the hydrometer analytical balance selected

6 5 4
The hydrometer is removed
Place the submerged
The value of the ambient from the balance and the
hydrometer suspended below
conditions is noted weights are placed on the
balance the analytical balance

7
Steps 4, 5 and 6 are
repeated at least five times
THANK
S!