1

Activity 1: Specific Gravity Determination

1.1. Student Outcomes (SOs) Addressed by the Activity

SO d, Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze, and interpret data, and synthesize
information to provide valid conclusions for investigating complex problems.
SO i, Function effectively as an individual and as a member or leader in diverse teams and in
multidisciplinary setting.

1.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

At the end of this activity the students shall be able to:
a) Explain the concept of specific gravity as one of the fundamental properties of fluid.
b) Demonstrate the needed techniques in determination of heights of different fluids inside the U-
tube manometer.
c) Calculate the specific gravity of fluids using the principle given.

1.3 Objective/s of the Activity

The activity aims to demonstrate the validity of determining the specific gravity of a fluid using a U–tube
manometer. Furthermore, it aims to illustrate the effect of specific gravity on pressure variation on a multiple
column of fluids.

1.4 Principle of the Activity

Specific gravity of a fluid is the dimensionless ratio of the specific weight gfluid or density p of a fluid

to the specific weight gwater or density ρwater of the standard substance,

= = (eq. 1.1)
( 4ºC) (4ºC)

= = (eq. 1.2)
(0ºC) (0ºC)

For liquids and solids, the standard substance is pure water at 4ºC at which temperature, its specific
weight, gwater = 9.81 KN/m3 and density ρwater = 1000 kg/m3 are at their maximum values. With these

constants, equation 1.1 may be used to compute the specific weight and density of a fluid given its specific
gravity S. For gases, the standard substance is either hydrogen or air at 0ºC and under a pressure of 101.3
KPa. Air at this temperature and pressure has gair = 12.7 N/m3 and ρair = 1.29 kg/m3.

The specific gravity should not be confused with the density since these are two different properties
of a substance, the first one being dimensionless and the second having the dimensions kg/m3 or gm/cm3.
In the SI units, however, these two are numerically equal if the density is expressed in gm/cm3. For example,
water has specific gravity of unity and a density of 1 gm/cm3.
 2

Since specific gravity of fluids vary with temperature, ρwater can be computed using:
( )
= 1000 − (eq. 1.3)
Where T is in ºC, and the resulting unit of the density is kg/m3.

1.5 Resources/Instruments Required:

 U – tube manometer  Graduated Cylinder
 Scale / Ruler  Beaker
 Liquids whose specific gravity are to be  Thermometer
determined (water, soy sauce, oil,  Weighing Scale
vinegar, and diesel)
 Fluid Dropper

1.6 Procedure:
With the use of manometer
1. To let water as the reference fluid, measure its temperature using thermometer then determine the
corresponding density and specific gravity using eq. 1.3 and eq. 1.1
2. Pour an amount of 1st fluid (specific gravity S1) in the U – tube glass manometer
3. Add an amount of 2nd fluid (specific gravity S2) in the U – tube glass manometer until it stands
4. Measure the difference in elevation between the interface and surface for each fluid (designate it as
h1 and h2; where h1 is the difference in elevation between interface and surface of 1st fluid and h2 is
the difference in elevation between interface and surface of 2nd fluid)
5. Evaluate the unknown specific gravity of the fluid using the derived formula below
S1 h1 = S2 h2
6. Perform steps 2 to 5 with other liquids. For heavy fluids, use mercury as standard fluid.
With the use of mass-volume-density relationship
1. Using weighing scale, determine the mass of an empty graduated cylinder
2. Pour out some amount of fluid on the graduated cylinder then measure the combined mass of the
fluid and the graduated cylinder. Also, determine the volume of fluid being poured on the graduated
cylinder.
3. Using the data from procedure 1 and 2 determine the mass of fluid being poured on the graduated
cylinder
4. Determine the density by dividing the calculated mass of fluid to the corresponding volume.
Consequently, the Specific gravity of the fluid can now be determined.
5. Repeat procedure 1 to 4 for other liquids.
 3

Activity Report:
Section: Date Performed:
Group No.: Date Submitted:
Group Members:
1. 4.
2. 5.
3.

1.7.1 Data Results:

Table 1.1: With the use of manometer

1st and 2nd Fluid h1 (1st fluid) h2 (2nd fluid) S (2nd fluid) using
manometer
Unit: Unit:
1st Fluid:
2nd Fluid:
st
1 Fluid:
2nd Fluid:
1st Fluid:
2nd Fluid:
1st Fluid:
2nd Fluid:

Table1.2: With the use of mass-volume-density relationship

Fluid Mass Volume S using mass-volume-
Unit: Unit: density relation

Table 1.3: Summary

Fluid S from Table S from Table % error
1.1 1.2
 4

1.7.1 Analysis / Computations:

 5

1.7.2 Source/s of Error

1.7.1 Technique/s and recommendations to minimize error/s

 6

1.7.2 Conclusion/s:
 7

Questions and Problems

1. A certain gas weighs 7 N/m3 at a certain temperature and pressure. What are the values of its density,
specific volume, and specific gravity relative to air weighing 12 N/m3?

2. If 5.30 m3 of certain oil weighs 43,860 N, calculate the specific weight, density and specific volume.

3. The density of alcohol is 790 kg/m3. Calculate its specific weight, specific gravity and specific volume.

4. A cubic meter of air at 101.3 kPa and 15ºC weighs 12 N, what is its specific volume?

5. What is the standard fluid used in hydraulics and what are its standard properties?
 8

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

RUBRIC FOR CONDUCT OF EXPERIMENTS
(Engineering Programs)
Program : Course & section: ________ Semester & School Year:
Activity No.: Date Performed: ____________ Faculty:
Group No.: Date Submitted: ____________
Group Members:
1. 3. 5.
2. 4.

Score
Need Improvement Fair Good Very Good Excellent
Criteria Member Member Member Member Member
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Members does not follow Member follows good and safe
Member follows good and safe Member follows good and safe Member follows good and
good and safe laboratory laboratory practice at all times in the
laboratory practice 30% of the laboratory practice 60% of the safe laboratory practice all the
Conducting of Activity practice in the conduct of conduct of activity and encourage
time in the conduct of activity time in the conduct of activity times in the conduct of activity
activity others to do the same

Members is unable to Member is able to operate Member is able to operate Member is able to operate
Member is able to operate equipment
Equipment and/or operate the equipment and equipment and instrument with equipment and instrument with equipment and instrument
and instrument with ease even if not
Instrument Operation instruments and needs being supervised thrice during being supervised twice during with being supervised ones supervised
and Material Handling supervision all the time the activity the activity during the activity
The group presents relevant,
The group presents more complete, and accurate data in an
The group presents relevant The group presents minimum
Data Collection The group presents mostly than the minimum required organized and coherent manner with
but partial and inaccurate required data that are relevant
irrelevant data data that are relevant and visual representations such as tables,
data and accurate
accurate graphs, etc.
The group uses appropriate tools and
The group uses appropriate
techniques and arrives at correct
Data Analysis and The group makes no The group attempts to analyze The group uses appropriate tools and techniques and
results; and validates results with
attempt to analyze the the data but uses inappropriate tools and/or techniques and arrives at correct results; and
theories. Consequently, relates results
Evaluation tools and/techniques arrives at correct results. validates results with theories
data to other knowledge
The group presents clear and
The group presents clear and The group presents clear and logical
The group presents no The group presents no logical interpretation of results
Interpretation and logical interpretation of results interpretation of results and arrives at
interpretation of results interpretation of results and and arrives at correct
and arrives at correct correct conclusion and partially relates
Conclusion and conclusions arrives at incorrect conclusions conclusion and partially
conclusion these to all the objectives
relates these to the objectives
Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score/5)
Percentage Score = (Total Score/%) x 100%
Other Comments/Observations:

Evaluated by:

Signature of Faculty Date