Question

What is the purpose of computing the specific gravity?

Answer 1

Specific gravity is used to avoid units; or to make a reference directly to a working fluid

some exmaples of specific gravities:

- specific gravity referenced to water at 4°C; it is the highest value of the density of water; the value will tell you a fractional reference, i.e.

0.78 will be 78% density of that of pure water, therefore will float

1.3 will be 30% in excess, therefore, will sink

- specific gravity of oils/petroluem/organic substances which will allow engineers to distill with respect of the reference value i.e. 1.3 or 0.8 will state volatile/distillate or bottom products