Experiment 3: Specific Gravity of Solids and Liquids

Laboratory Report

Jewelyn See, Fiona Theresa Superable, Chynna Samantha Sy, Edward Joseph Tucay, Jerome
Valeriano, and Vincent Marvin Yongco

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Abstract
The experiment performed aimed to
determine the specific gravity of solids,
specifically a glass marble, and liquids,
which were regular soft drink and diet soft
drink using a top loading balance, graduated
cylinder, Leach Pycnometer, and Baume
Hydrometer. The density of water, which was
1.00g/cm3, was determined using the
pycnometer. The group used the top loading
balance, density of water, and graduated
cylinder in determining the specific gravity of
the glass marble which was 2.68. The specific
gravity of regular soft drink and diet soft
drink, which were 1.00 and 0.98, respectively,
were determined through the Leach
Pycnometer and the density of water. The
Baume Hydrometer provided a direct reading
of specific gravity of the same liquids, the
regular soft drink and diet soft drink, which
were 1.10 and 1.07, respectively. With these
data, the experimenters, therefore, can infer
that there were slight difference among the
readings of the Leach Pycnometer and
Baume Hydrometer. The difference for the
reading of the specific gravity of the regular
soft drink was 0.10, while the diet soft drink
had a difference of 0.09 in specific gravity
using the two instruments..
1. Introduction
Specific gravity plays a vital role in
certain applications, especially in looking for
the purity of jewelries, compressive strength
of soils, and even in oil industries. It is the
ratio of the mass of unit volume at a stated
temperature to the mass of the same volume
of gas-free distilled water at a stated
temperature. Specific gravity is determined
by dividing the density of a material by the
density of an equal volume of water using the
same units. As a result, it is dimensionless
quantity.
Density, on the other hand, being closely
related to specific gravity, is a fundamental
concept in physics, as well as in engineering.
Obviously, it important in determining the
buoyancy of an object — whether it will float
or sink. It is also a physical property of matter.
Furthermore, it describes how tightly packed
mass is in a certain amount of space. It is
measured in kg/m3.
It is without a doubt that both the density
and specific gravity give the mass of a certain
quantity of material. Likewise, both are
useful in verifying and comparing the yield of
different substances. To illustrate, substances
with a specific gravity of 1 are generally
considered as neutral in terms of buoyancy in
water. Substances with a specific gravity
greater than one (1) are considerably denser
than water, making it sink. Finally, those with
a specific gravity of less than one (1) are less
dense than water causing it to float.
Pycnometer is a measuring instrument
used in determining the density of a liquid. It
is made of glass with a glass stopper attached
with a capillary tube to allow the escape of
air bubbles from the apparatus. In addition,
the utilization of this device could be
functional in accurately measuring a liquid’s
density. A standard working fluid such as
water and mercury could be used as
references with the use of an analytical
balance.
Hydrometers are common in the
measurement of density. It is usually a
cylindrical glass stem with a scale inside, and
a bulb at one end. Specifically, a Baume
hydrometer is accurate, frictionless and
compatible with any other corrosive fluids.
The utilization of this instrument is limited to
fluid properties, pressure and temperature
readings of a particular substance.
Consequently, this measuring device is only
suitable for clean, non-viscous liquids.
However, it can also be utilized in measuring
crude oils procuring exact measurements.
Finally, a Mohr-Westphal Balance is an
instrument that directly gives the
measurement of the densities of certain solids
and liquids through hydrostatic weighing. It
follows the Archimedes’ Principle of
buoyancy, which states that the buoyant force
is equal to the weight of the displaced water.
This instrument works by hanging a glass
tube into a solution of unknown density with
the use of a thin platinum wire.
2. Theory
This experiment aimed to determine
the specific gravity of both solids and liquids.
In determining the specific gravity of a glass
marble, the group first determined its volume
using the water displacement method which
states that the volume of an irregular solid,
when submerged in water, would be equal to
the volume of water displaced. The volume
of the marble was needed in order to know its
density using the formula:
𝑚
𝜌=
𝑣
Wherein:
ρ = density
m = mass
v = volume
In computing for the specific gravity
of the marble, the group used the following
formula:
𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
Wherein:
density of water = 1.00 g/cm3
When the volumes of both the object
and the water are equal, the formula can be
7899 :; :<=>?@
written as 𝑝 = . Therefore, in
7899 :; A8@>B
determining the relative densities of the
regular and diet soft drinks using a Leach
pycnometer, the formula that the group used
was:

𝑚FG − 𝑚F
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑚FI − 𝑚F

Wherein:
mp = mass of Leach pycnometer
Leach Pycnometer Baume Hydrometer
mPS = mass of Leach pycnometer with
soft drink (regular/diet)
mPW = mass of Leach pycnometer with
water

The group also used a Baume

hydrometer in determining the relative
densities of the soft drinks, and in finding the
difference between the computed densities
and the densities according to the Baume
Regular & Diet Soft Drink
hydrometer, the formula used was:

𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = (𝑅𝐷)LM − (𝑅𝐷)G Activity 1: Specific Gravity/Relative

Density of Solids
Wherein:
The mass of the marble was obtained
(RD)RH = relative density according to
using a top loading balance. The volume of
Baume hydrometer
the marble was measured using the water-
(RD)S = computed relative density of the
displacement method of Archimedes. The
soft drinks (regular/diet)
density of the marble was computed using the
7
formula 𝑝 = N . The specific gravity of the
3. Methodology
marble was computed by dividing the
Materials: computed density by the density of water
(1.00g/cm3).

Activity 2: Specific Gravity/Relative

Density of Liquids
The mass of an empty Leach
pycnometer (mP) was obtained using a top
loading balance. The mass of the pycnometer

Marble Graduated Cylinder

with water filled until its neck (mPW) was The difference between the values of the
obtained. relative densities obtained by computation
(involving the pycnometer) and read directly
The mass of the pycnometer with on the Baume hydrometer was compared and
regular soft drink filled until its neck (mPR) computed, using the formulas 𝑅𝐷LM − 𝑅𝐷L
was obtained. The mass of regular soft drink for the regular soft drink, and 𝑅𝐷UM −
(mR) was computed by subtracting mP from 𝑅𝐷L for the diet soft drink.
mPR. The specific gravity of regular soft drink
(RDR) was computed using the formula
7OP Q 7O
or
7S
. 4. Results and Discussion
7OR Q 7O 7R
Unlike looking for the specific gravity of
The mass of the pycnometer with diet a solid (density of the solid over the density
soft drink filled until its neck (mPD) was of water), looking for the specific gravity of
obtained. The mass of diet soft drink (mD) a liquid can be done in two ways: using a
was computed by subtracting mP from mPD. pycnometer or a hydrometer. According to
The specific gravity of diet soft drink (RDD) the data sheet, it is simpler to look for the
was computed using the formula specific gravity of a liquid when using a
7OT Q 7O 7S hydrometer than when using a pycnometer.
or
7OR Q 7O 7R Although the results are not exactly the same
when comparing both instruments, the
Activity 3: Using the Baume Hydrometer experimental values are close to each other in
a difference of less than one. Since in looking
The graduated cylinder was filled
for the specific gravity of a liquid using the
with regular soft drink at an amount such that
pycnometer needs more data and calculations
the Baume hydrometer would float easily but
(such as weighing to find the mass of the
not cause the sample to overflow. With the
instrument with and without the liquid and
aid of the forefinger, the hydrometer was
solving for the density), there is a higher
immersed in the sample without touching the
chance of a personal mistake in the
sides of the graduated cylinder. The specific
calculating or in gathering the data, rather
gravity of the regular soft drink was read
than simply reading a hydrometer to get the
directly on the hydrometer.
specific gravity. This proves that using the
hydrometer can deemed more accurate than
The graduated cylinder was filled with
using the pycnometer. In terms of the liquid
diet soft drink at an amount such that the
used, it is seen from the data that a regular
Baume hydrometer would float easily but not
softdrink, in this case Coke, has a greater
cause the sample to overflow. With the aid of
specific gravity than a diet softdrink, Coke
the forefinger, the hydrometer was immersed
Zero; no matter if one uses the pycnometer or
in the sample without touching the sides of
the hydrometer.
the graduated cylinder. The specific gravity
of the diet soft drink was read directly on the
hydrometer.
Activity 1: Specific Gravity/Relative Difference 0.09564 0.08941
Density of a Solid between
Glass Marble Hydrometer
and
Mass 5.35 g Pycnometer
Volume 2.00 cm3 results

Density 2.68 g/cm3

Specific Gravity 2.68 5. Conclusion
The group used a graduated cylinder, top
loading balance, Baume Hydrometer, and
Activity 2: Specific Gravity/Relative Leach Pycnometer throughout the
Density of Liquids using a Pycnometer experiment. The objective of the activity was
Pycnometer to determine the specific gravity of solids and
liquids through identifying the density of the
Volume 28 cm3
samples relative to the density of the standard
Mass 20.19 g substance. The density of water, which was
Mass w/ water 45.43 g 1.00g/cm3, was used as the standard density.
The solid sample was weighed through the
top loading balance and the mass of the glass
Regular Diet marble was 5.35g. The method of water
Softdrink Softdrink displacement, through a graduated cylinder,
was used to determine the volume of the
Mass 25.35 g 24.75 g
marble, which was 2.00cm3. The density of
Mass w/ 45.54 g 44.94 g the marble was found to be 2.68g/cm3.
pycnometer Consequently, the specific gravity of the
Relative 1.00436 0.98059 solid was 2.68.
Density
Through the specific gravity-bottle
Activity 3: Specific Gravity/Relative method, the Leach Pycnometer was used to
Density of Liquids using a Hydrometer determine the density of both the regular soft
Regular Diet drink and the diet soft drink, which were
Softdrink Softdrink 1.00g/cm3 and 0.98g/cm3, respectively.
Moreover, the specific gravity of the regular
Relative 1.10000 1.07000
soft drink and the diet soft drink were 1.00
Density
and 0.98. The Baume Hydrometer, on the
according to
other hand, provided the group with a direct
a
reading the the specific gravity which was
Hydrometer
1.10 for the regular soft drink and 1.07 for the
diet soft drink. The difference between the
readings of the Leach Pycnometer and the
Baume Hydrometer were 0.10 for the regular
soft drink an 0.09 for the diet soft drink.
Based on all the data gathered throughout the
experiment, the group can conclude that the
specific gravity of solids and liquids can be
obtained through different experimental
techniques, with the aid of various laboratory
equipment.
6. Applications
1) Differentiate specific gravity and
density.
Specific gravity refers to the ratio of the
density of a substance and the density of
water. It does not require any units since all
of the units cancel each other. On the other
hand, density is measured by the amount of
mass per unit volume, therefore it is
expressed in units (g/cm3).
2) If 54.96 mL of oil weighs 52.78 g,
what is its specific gravity?
𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = Given:
𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
52.78 𝑔
54.96 𝑚𝐿
= 𝑔
1 b𝑚𝐿
= 0.9603347889
The specific gravity of the substance is
0.9603.
3) A pycnometer weighs 50.00 g.
When filled with water, it weighs
100.00 g. When filled with oil, it
weighs 94.00 g. Determine the
specific gravity of the oil.
Given:
Mass of empty pycnometer: 50.00 g
Mass of pycnometer + water: 100.00 g
Mass of pycnometer + oil: 94.00 g
Solution:
Mass of water = 100.00 g – 50.00 g =
50.00 g
Mass of oil = 94.00 g – 50.00 g = 44.00 g
44.00 𝑔
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑖𝑙 =
50.00 𝑔
= 0.88
The specific gravity of oil is 0.88.
4) An insoluble powder weighs 12.00 g.
A pycnometer, weighing 21.00 g
when empty, weighs 121.00 g when
filled with water. When the powder
is introduced into the emptied
pycnometer, and the pycnometer is
filled with water, the three together
weighs 130.00 g. What is the
specific gravity of the powder?
Mass of empty pycnometer: 21.00 g
Mass of pycnometer + water (standard liquid):
121.00 g
Mass of pycnometer + water (standard liquid)
+ insoluble powder: 130.00 g
Mass of insoluble powder: 12.00 g
Solution:
Mass of pycnometer + sample = 33.00 g
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
33.00 𝑔 − 21.00 𝑔
=
121.00 𝑔 + 33.00 𝑔 − 21.00 𝑔 − 130.00 𝑔
 12
=
3
= 4

The specific gravity of the powder is 4.

7. References

[1] Ameriacan Water Works Association

(2009). Module 1: Density and
specific gravity. Retrieved from
http://www.awwa.org/portals/0/files/
education/elearning/course%20conte
nt/el11%20hydraulics/hydraulics_mo
dule%201%20download.pdf
[2] Baych, C. Z. & Mastorakis, N. E. (2001).
Hydrometer-spring balance
instrument. WSEAS (Research and
Development Department). Retrieved
from http://www.wseas.us/e-
library/conferences/2012/Paris/MEC
ONT/MECONT-13.pdf
[3]Helmenstine, A. M. (2018). What is the
difference between density and
specific gravity?. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/density-
and-specific-gravity-differences-
606114