Experiment 1

Specific Gravity Determination

Objective:
The activity aims to determine the specific gravity of fluid using a U tube manometer.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
At the end of the activity the students shall be able to:
1. Explain the concept of specific gravity as one of the fundamental properties of fluid.
2. Demonstrate the determination of heights of different fluids inside the U tube manometer.
3. Identify the specific gravity of fluid.
Discussion:
Specific gravity of a fluid is the dimensionless ratio of the specific weight y or density p of a fluid to
the specific weight ys or density ps of the standard substance,
y p

y s ps

s=
For liquids and solids, the standard substance is pure water at 4C at which temperature, its
specific weight, ys = 9.81 KN/m3 and density ps = 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 0C and under a pressure of 101.3
KPa. Air at this temperature and pressure has y s = 12.7 N/m3 and ps = 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/m 3 or gm/cm3.
In the SI units, however, these two are numerically equal if the density is expressed in gm/cm 3. For
example, water has specific gravity of unity and a density of 1 gm/cm 3.

Resources/Instruments Required:

U tube manometer
Scale
Mercury
Liquids whose specific gravity are to be determined

1. Procedure:
1. Pour an amount of distilled water in the U tube glass manometer
2. Add an amount of oil in the U tube glass manometer until it stands
3. Measure the heights of the water and oil inside the U tube manometer.
4. Evaluate the specific gravity of the unknown liquid using the derived formula below.
2

S 1h1
h2

S
5. Perform steps 1 to 4 with other liquids. For heavy fluids, use mercury as standard fluid.

Group No.:
Date Performed:
Group Members:

1
June 18,2015
Bacudio, Glory Zamantha C.

Section:
CE41FB5
Date Submitted: June 25,2015
Instructor:
Engr.J.Camino

2. Data Results:
Liquid
Oil and Water
Oil and Vinegar
Oil and Soy sauce
Soda and Water

h1

h2

21.25

23.5

0.90

25

13.75

1.64

24.5

16.78

1.32

24.6

2.80

7.88

3. Observations:
We, the students have observed that when 2 liquids are mixed and form a heterogeneous mixture,
the liquids on the u-tube manometer separates and you can easily see the 2 liquids being separated. We
observed that some of oil retained inside the u-tube. This might be the source of error in getting data.

4.

Analysis
In this experiment we expect to know how to determine the specific gravity using u tube
h i s1
s
=
2
manometer. To solve the specific gravity we use the formula
h2
Oil and water
s2 =

( 1 ) (21.25)
=0.90
(23.5)

Oil and vinegar

s2 =

( 0.90 ) (7 25 )
=1.64
(13.75)

Oil and soy sauce

s2 =

( 0.9 0 ) ( 24.5 )
=1.32
( 16.78 )
Soda and water

s2 =

5. Conclusion:

( 1 ) ( 24.6 )
=7.88
( 2.8 )

We therefore conclude that specific gravity affects the positioning/height of liquids on a u-tube
manometer. if the objects specific gravity is less than one, the object will float on water , and if its
specific gravity is greater than one, it will sink. The experiment has shown that the liquids have different
specific gravity and density, and thats the main reason why theyre separating.

Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

CRITERIA

BEGINNER

ACCEPTABLE

PROFICIENT

I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative
Members do not
Skills

demonstrate needed skills.

Members occasionally
demonstrate needed skills.

Members always
demonstrate needed skills.

Experimental
Set-up

Members are unable to setup the materials.

Members are able to set-up

the materials with supervision.

Members are able to set-up

the material with minimum
supervision.

Process Skills

Members do not
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Members occasionally
demonstrate targeted process
skills.

Members always
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Safety
Precautions

Members do not follow safety

precautions.

Members follow safety

precautions most of the time.

Members follow safety

precautions at all times.

Members finish on time with

incomplete data.

Members finish ahead of

time with complete data and
time to revise data.

Cooperative
and Teamwork

Members do not know their

tasks and have no defined
responsibilities. Group
conflicts have to be settled
by the teacher.

Members have defined

responsibilities most of the
time. Group conflicts are
cooperatively managed most
of the time.

Members are on tasks and

have defined responsibilities
at all times. Group conflicts
are cooperatively managed
at all times.

Neatness and
Orderliness

Messy workplace during and

after the experiment.

Clean and orderly workplace

with occasional mess during
and after the experiment.

Clean and orderly

workplace at all times
during and after the
experiment.

II. Work Habits

Time
Management / Members do not finish on
Conduct of
time with incomplete data.
Experiment

SCORE

Ability to do
independent
work

Members require supervision

by the teacher.

Members require occasional

supervision by the teacher.

Members do not need to be

supervised by the teacher.

Other Comments / Observations:

TOTAL SCORE
TotalScore
24

RATING
100%

) x

Questions and Problems

1. A certain gas weighs 7 KN/m 3 at a certain temperature and pressure. What are the values of its
density, specific volume, and specific gravity relative to air weighing 12 N/m 3?

7000
kg
=713.558 m
9.81

specific volume=

713.558

S.G.=

kg

= 1.4010-3

m
kg

m3

7
=0.583
12

2. If 5.30 m3 of certain oil weighs 43,860 N, calculate the specific weight, density and specific volume.
43860
=
= 8.275kN
5.30

43860
9.81
kg
=
= 843.575 m
5.30
3

specific volume=

843.575

kg

= 1.18510

-3

m
kg

m3

3. The density of alcohol is 790 kg/m 3. Calculate its specific weight, specific gravity and specific
volume.
=g
=790(9.81)= 7749.9

N
3

S.G.=

790
=7.7499
1000
1

specific volume=

77499

kg

= 1.2910-4

m3
kg

m3

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

P
RT
3

101.3
m
=
= 1.6610 -3
212(288)
kg

specific volume=

1
1.66 10

-3

kg
3
m

= 602.72

m
kg

5. What is the standard fluid used in hydraulics and what are its standard properties?
- Mineral oil or water are colourless and odourless

DOCUMENTATION