1. What is Specific Gravity?

Definition: Specific gravity (SG) is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water at standard conditions (62.4 lb/ft³).

Purpose: It's a dimensionless unit that helps compare densities of different materials relative to water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( SG \) — Specific Gravity (unitless)
• \( \rho \) — Density of the material (lb/ft³)
• 62.4 — Density of water at standard conditions (lb/ft³)

Explanation: The material's density is divided by water's density to get its specific gravity.

3. Importance of Specific Gravity

Details: Specific gravity is crucial in engineering, geology, and material science for:

• Identifying minerals and materials
• Calculating buoyancy forces
• Mixing ratios in construction materials
• Quality control in manufacturing

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the density of your material in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³). The density must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is water's density 62.4 lb/ft³?
A: This is the density of pure water at 4°C (39°F) and standard atmospheric pressure.

Q2: What does a specific gravity of 2.5 mean?
A: It means the material is 2.5 times denser than water. If placed in water, it would sink.

Q3: What's the specific gravity of water?
A: Exactly 1.0, since we're dividing water's density by itself.

Q4: How do I find a material's density?
A: Measure mass per unit volume, or consult material property tables.

Q5: Can specific gravity be less than 1?
A: Yes, materials less dense than water (like most woods) have SG < 1 and will float.