What does high specific gravity mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈspɛsɪfɪk ˈɡreɪvɪti/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun phrase

Definition

A measure of the density of a substance, relative to the density of water. A high specific gravity indicates that the substance is denser than water.

Examples

• What does high specific gravity mean in the context of rock density?
• She measured the specific gravity of the metal alloy to determine its composition.

Synonyms

• High density
• Weight per unit volume

Antonyms

• Low specific gravity
• Low density

Additional Information

Specific gravity is a fundamental concept in physics, chemistry, and engineering. It is used to describe the properties of various materials, such as solids, liquids, and gases. Understanding specific gravity is essential in various applications, including construction, manufacturing, and scientific research.

Materials with high specific gravity tend to sink in water, while those with low specific gravity tend to float. This principle is used in various separation processes, such as density separation and flotation.

Specific gravity is also an important property in geology, where it is used to identify the composition of rocks and minerals. In medicine, specific gravity is used to measure the density of bodily fluids, such as blood and urine.

Eymology

The term “specific gravity” was first used in the 17th century to describe the density of a substance relative to the density of water. The term “gravity” was derived from the Latin word “gravitas,” meaning weight or heaviness.

Usage Notes

When using the term “specific gravity,” it is essential to specify the reference substance, which is usually water. The specific gravity of a substance can be expressed as a ratio of its density to the density of the reference substance.

Cultural References

The concept of specific gravity has been referenced in various literary and scientific works, including Isaac Newton’s “Principia Mathematica” and Archimedes’ “On Floating Bodies.”

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Specific gravity of an idea
• High-density thinking

Related Words or Phrases

• Density
• Weight per unit volume
• Relative density

Collocations

• High specific gravity
• Low specific gravity
• Specific gravity of a substance

Frequency of Use

The term “specific gravity” is commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, but it is less frequently used in everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

• Specific gravety
• Specific graviety
• Specific gravaty