Fluid Mechanics Lab

Lab Report 01

Density and Specific Gravity

4th SEMESTER

Session: ME-13 Section: C Group:

SUBMITTED BY

Name: Waleed Nasir

CMS: 394281

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,

NUST
Hydrostatic properties of fluids - I
Objective
To determine the density and specific gravity of a fluid. demonstrate the capillary effect that occurs in
various tubes and plates.

Apparatus
From the ‘hydrostatic properties of fluid bench’ you will need.

1. Triple beam balance

2. 100 ml beakers
3. Density bottle 25ml & 50ml
4. Test fluids

Triple beam balance, density bottle and capillary rise apparatus.

Procedure

A. Density and specific gravity using beakers

1. Use the triple-beam balance to weigh the mass of the empty graduated beaker (m 0) then fill the
beaker with a small amount of test fluid and read the volume, (V 1) in ml.
2. Now find the total mass, (m1). Add more fluid and note the total mass for the volume of fluid.
3. Find the density, ρ = (m0 - m1)/V1 and and the specific gravity, SG = ρ / ρ water.
Sample fluid Liquid A Liquid B
m0 (kg) 0.216 0.216
m1 (kg) 0.418 0.427
V1 (m3) 0.0002 0.0002
ρ(kg/m3) 1460 1505
SG 148.97 153.414
 B. Density and specific gravity using density bottles
1. Weigh the dry density bottle and its attached glass stopper, (m 1).
2. Fill the bottle with test liquid, replace the stopper, dry the bottle exterior using a cloth or tissue
and then weigh the density bottle and record the total mass, (m 2).
3. Using the volume of fluid, V = 25.252cm3 (for 25ml bottle) and V = 51.741cm3 (for 50ml bottle)
calculate the density, ρ = (m2/V), & specific gravity, SG = density/density of water (no units).

Sample fluid Liquid A Liquid B

m1 (kg) 0.034 0.34
m2 (kg) 0.118 0.122
V (m3) 0.0001 0.0001
ρ(kg/m3) 840 880
SG 85.71 89.97

Discussion & Conclusion

In this experiment, we have studied the calculation of density and specific gravity of several fluids (oils)
using a graduated beaker and density bottle. The results of the two methods were compared and it was
concluded that the density bottle was more precise and accurate. The reason was studied that because the
density bottle eliminated the chance for inaccurate volume measurment and hold an exact volume.