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Technology

What Is Specific Gravity?

By C.B. Fox
Updated May 17, 2024
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Specific gravity usually refers to a material's density when compared to the density of water. This number is given as a ratio which means that there are no units when discussing it. By using a known specific gravity for a particular substance, it is possible to determine what a a sample of the substance is pure or how concentrated it is. In some industries, the density of two substances can be compared with each other instead of with water when determining this measurement.

In most cases, specific gravity is given as the ratio of a certain substance's density compared to the density of the same amount of fresh water at 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, fresh water is at its greatest density, which is 1 gram per milliliter. A substance with a specific gravity lower than that of water will float on top of water, while an object with a higher one will sink. Temperature and atmospheric pressure will alter the specific gravity of a substance, so standard specific gravity values are determined at this temperature and at one atmosphere of pressure, which is the air pressure at sea level.

Aside from standard measures, it is also possible to compare the density two substances with one another instead of comparing them with the density of water. Many different industries use their own sets of density comparisons that help them check concentration. When testing the density of gases, air is often used as a standard, and liquids and solids are often tested against water, though other liquids can be used. It is also possible to measure a value known as the apparent specific gravity of a substance by creating a ratio of the weights of equal volumes of the substance being tested and a reference substance, such as water.

The concept of specific gravity was discovered by the Greek scientist and inventor, Archimedes. When tasked with determining whether the king's new crown was made out of solid gold, Archimedes discovered that he could take the crown and an equal mass of solid gold and see whether the two displaced the same amount of water from a tub. Soon after this discovery, the densities of a number of different substances were calculated so that it would be easy to determine their purity. It is also possible to take an unknown substance and experimentally determine it's density compared to water in order to narrow down the possible materials it could be made from.

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Discussion Comments

By allenJo — On Feb 04, 2012

@David09 - Yeah, I did that experiment too. Actually the whole concept of specific gravity has a lot of practical applications.

For example, it can be used in a urine test. The specific gravity of urine can fluctuate based on the health of the patient. Abnormal results can indicate problems with the kidneys or even heart problems in a worst case scenario.

The urine test is not enough in and of itself to prove anything conclusively. But I think it’s a first start for many physical tests.

By David09 — On Feb 04, 2012

@hamje32 - One of the first scientific experiments I did in high school involved an egg, water and salt.

If you plop an egg in water, the egg will sink. The reason is that the egg has a specific gravity and density that is greater than water. However, something magical happens when you pour salt into the water. Suddenly the egg begins to float.

That’s because the salt water now has a greater specific gravity and that’s what makes the egg float. I was always astounded when I conducted this experiment because I always thought that the egg was “heavier” than the water, and salt was such a seemingly insignificant substance, at least from appearances anyway.

By hamje32 — On Feb 03, 2012

So Ivory soap is not so far from the truth when it claims that it's "so pure that it floats.” I guess based on this article the soap has a specific gravity that is less than the specific gravity of water and that’s why it floats.

I suppose that means that it’s less dense than water. Actually the product has changed in the last few years. The company that makes it altered it a little so that it doesn’t float as much as it used to.

It doesn’t affect how well it cleans so it makes no difference to me. But that light density was part of its appeal in the early days, and from a marketing standpoint, I guess it served as “proof” that it was pure.

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