What is the fluid defined as the ratio of its density to the density of water at a specified temperature called?

What is the fluid defined as the ratio of its density to the density of water at a specified temperature called?

• A. Specific Gravity
• B. Density
• C. Specific Weight
• D. Viscosity

Answer: (A)

Specific gravity is a dimensionless ratio that compares a fluid’s density to the density of water at a stated temperature. It tells you how heavy or light the fluid is relative to water, without carrying units. If the fluid has the same density as water at that temperature, its specific gravity is one. This concept is used to simplify comparing fluids in engineering calculations. It differs from density, which is an actual mass per volume; from specific weight, which is weight per unit volume (density times gravity); and from viscosity, which describes a fluid’s resistance to flow.

Specific gravity is a dimensionless ratio that compares a fluid’s density to the density of water at a stated temperature. It tells you how heavy or light the fluid is relative to water, without carrying units. If the fluid has the same density as water at that temperature, its specific gravity is one. This concept is used to simplify comparing fluids in engineering calculations. It differs from density, which is an actual mass per volume; from specific weight, which is weight per unit volume (density times gravity); and from viscosity, which describes a fluid’s resistance to flow.