specific gravity

specific gravity

noun

Definition of SPECIFIC GRAVITY

: the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some substance (as pure water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air

Examples of SPECIFIC GRAVITY

1. determining the specific gravity of a mineral

First Known Use of SPECIFIC GRAVITY

1660

Rhymes with SPECIFIC GRAVITY

total depravity

specific gravity

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SPECIFIC GRAVITY

: the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some substance (as pure water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air

specific gravity

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Ratio of the density of a substance to that of a standard substance. For solids and liquids, the standard substance is usually water at 39.2°F (4.0°C), which has a density of 1.00 kg/liter. Gases are usually compared to dry air, which has a density of 1.29 g/liter at 32°F (0°C) and 1 atmosphere pressure. Because it is a ratio of two quantities that have the same dimensions (mass per unit volume), specific gravity has no dimension. For example, the specific gravity of liquid mercury is 13.6, because its actual density is 13.6 kg/liter, 13.6 times that of water.

Variants of SPECIFIC GRAVITY

specific gravity or relative density