| 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. |
| relative density n. See specific gravity. |
| specific gravity n. 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. Also called relative density. |
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.
| relative density
The ratio of the density of one substance to that of a reference substance, typically water. See more at specific gravity. |
specific gravity  (spĭ-sĭf'ĭk) Pronunciation Key
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. |