Introduction

Mass is a physical property which all objects possess, but objects of the same size can have
different masses and weights. This difference is characterized by another property, density.
Density is defined as the ratio of an object's mass to its volume:
d= m/v

(1
)

Calculation

Since it is rare to find two different substances with identical densities, density is of value in
helping to identify materials.
The specific gravity of a substance is defined as the ratio of the density of the substance to the
density of water (1 gram/cm^3). This ratio is a convenient physical property since it has no units
and is therefore independent of the system of measure you use to determine it.
Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force experienced by a submerged object is equal
to the weight of the liquid displaced by the object. Experimentally this appears in the fact that
the submerged object apparently weighs less by an amount equal to the weight of the liquid
displaced. The buoyant force can be expressed as
Calculation

(2
)

where d is the density of the liquid, g is the acceleration of gravity and v is the volume of the
immersed object (or the immersed part of the body if it floats). In this experiment the pan
balances will compare masses in grams rather than weights. Since W=mg, the apparent change
in mass when submerged is
(3
)
Density Definition
A material's density is defined as its mass per unit volume. It is, essentially, a measurement of
how tightly matter is crammed together. The principle of density was discovered by the Greek
scientist Archimedes.
To calculate the density (usually represented by the Greek letter "") of an object, take the mass
(m) and divide by the volume (v):
=m/v
The SI unit of density is kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3). It is also frequently represented in
the cgs unit of grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm 3).
Using Density
One of the most common uses of density is in how different materials interact when mixed
together. Wood floats in water because it has a lower density, while an anchor sinks because the
metal has a higher density. Helium balloons float because the density of the helium is lower than
the density of the air.
When your automotive service station tests various liquids, like transmission fluid, they will pour
some into a hydrometer.

The hydrometer has several calibrated objects, some of which float in the liquid. By observing
which of the objects float, it can be determined what the density of the liquid is ... and, in the
case of the transmission fluid, this reveals whether it needs replaced yet or not.
Another important consequence of density is that it allows you to solve for mass and volume, if
given the other quantity. Since the density of common substances is known, this calculation is
fairly straightforward, in the form:
v*=m
or
m/=v
The change in density can also be useful in analyzing some situations, such as whenever a
chemical conversion is taking place and energy is being released. The charge in a storage
battery, for example, is an acidic solution. As the battery discharges electricity, the acid
combines with lead in the battery to form a new chemical, which results in a decrease in the
density of the solution. This density can be measured to determine the battery's level of
remaining charge.
Density is a key concept in analyzing how materials interact in fluid mechanics, weather,
geology, material sciences, engineering, and other fields of physics.
Specific Gravity
A concept related to density is the specific gravity (or, even more appropriate, relative density)
of a material, which is the ratio of the material's density to the density of water. An object with a
specific gravity less than 1 will float in water, while a specific gravity greater than 1 means it will
sink. It is this which allows, for example, a balloon filled with hot air to float in relation to the rest
of the air.

Specific Gravity (Relative Density)

Specific Gravity - SG - is a dimensionless unit defined as the ratio of the density of a substance to the density
of water - at a specified temperature and can be expressed as
SG = substance / H2O

(3)

where
SG = Specific Gravity of the substance
substance = density of the fluid or substance (kg/m3)
H2O = density of water - normally at temperature 4 oC (kg/m3)
It is common to use the density of water at 4 oC (39oF) as a reference since water at this point has its highest
density of 1000 kg/m3 or 1.940 slugs/ft3.
Specific Gravity - SG - is dimensionless and has the same value in the SI system and the imperial English
system (BG). SG of a fluid has the same numerical value as its density expressed in g/mL or Mg/m3. Water is
normally also used as reference when calculating the specific gravity for solids.