specific gravity

noun, Physics.
1.
the ratio of the density of any substance to the density of some other substance taken as standard, water being the standard for liquids and solids, and hydrogen or air being the standard for gases.
Also called relative density.
Origin
1660-70
Related forms
specific-gravity, adjective
Examples from the web for specific gravity
  • It seems that in time and space with their specific gravity, regions themselves define actual effect of pressing string theories.
  • Their business there was of a private nature, and had something to do with the specific gravity of their beer.
  • Urine specific gravity is a laboratory test that measures the concentration of all chemical particles in the urine.
  • Drugs that can increase specific gravity measurements include dextran and sucrose.
  • He brings personal charm to a role that is drawn out beyond the specific gravity of the character.
  • specific gravity is the relative weight of the mineral to an equal volume of water.
  • specific gravity of electrolyte must be corrected for temperature.
British Dictionary definitions for specific gravity

specific gravity

noun
1.
the ratio of the density of a substance to that of water See relative density
specific gravity in Medicine

specific gravity n.
Abbr. sg, sp gr
The ratio of the mass of a solid or liquid to the mass of an equal volume of distilled water at 4°C (39°F) or of a gas to an equal volume of air or hydrogen under prescribed conditions of temperature and pressure.

specific gravity in Science
specific gravity
  (spĭ-sĭf'ĭk)   
The relative density of a solid or liquid, usually when measured at a temperature of 20°C, compared with the maximum density of water (at 4°C). For example, the specific gravity of carbon steel is 7.8, that of lead is 11.34, and that of pure gold is 19.32.
specific gravity in Culture

specific gravity definition


The mass of a substance, given as a multiple of the mass of the same volume of a standard substance (usually water). The specific gravity of aluminum is 2.70; hence, a cubic foot of aluminum weighs 2.70 times as much as a cubic foot of water.