READING A HYDROMETER

SUGGESTIONS TO ASSURE ACCURATE HYDROMETER READINGS*

1. Be sure the Hydrometer is clean and dry.
2. Use a smooth clear cylinder or jar that is dry or well rinsed with portion of sample.
3. Sample must be thoroughly mixed before testing, preferably by a stirrer which
reaches the bottom of the sample container.
4. Immerse the Hydrometer slowly in liquid to a point below which it naturally sinks
(not over 1/8").
5. Do not make reading until the hydrometer and liquid are at rest and free from air
bubbles.
6. The temperatures of the hydrometer and liquid tested should be equal.
7. More accurate readings result when the temperature of the sample equals the
temperature at which the hydrometer is graduated and approaches that of the
surrounding atmosphere. When differences of temperature are unavoidable and vary
from the standard, readings can be adjusted by use of correction tables.
8. The surface tension of the liquid can affect the hydrometer indication. The liquid
for which a hydrometer is intended must be specified since readings will vary in
liquids having the same density but different surface tensions.
9. Hydrometers of equivalent dimensions may be
compared with each other even if the liquid used differs
in surface tension from the specified liquid, but
comparisons of dissimilar instruments, in such a liquid,
must be corrected for the effect of surface tension.
10. To avoid errors due to spontaneous changes in surface
tension, skimming and formation of surface films of
impurities from apparatus, liquid or air, overflow the
cylinder immediately before taking the reading.
11. Observe a point below the plane of the liquid surface
and then raise the line of vision until this surface, seen as
an ellipse, becomes a straight line. The point where this
line cuts the hydrometer is the reading of the instrument.
12. Errors of parallax when reading thermometer scale
can be avoided by aligning the near end of the mercury
column, the portions on either side of the stem and that
seen through the capillary so they appear to be a straight line. When the eye is in this
position the line of sight is normal to the stem.
*Condensed largely from NIST Circular No. 16.