Water Density Measurements

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1scienceproject
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:07 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: How do you use a hydrometer to measure the density of water?
Project Due Date: May 4
Project Status: I am conducting my research

Water Density

Post by 1scienceproject »

Hello. My question is How do you measrue the density of water with a hydrometer? I bought a hydrometer already. It did not come with any instructions so right now I am not sure what to do. Please help. Thank you!
deleted-71417
Former Expert
Posts: 932
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:24 am

Re: Water Density

Post by deleted-71417 »

Hi,

It is pretty easy to use a hydrometer. You just float it in the liquid whose density you wish to measure and read where the liquid level (meniscus) falls on the hydrometer scale. Its that easy.

Here is a set of instructions:
http://www.gfglass.com/proper_use.html

Good luck on your project!

Barrett Tomlinson
Willz
Former Expert
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:28 pm

Re: Water Density

Post by Willz »

Hello,

An additional piece of information that may be helpful is that the ideal temperature of the liquid sample should be around 60°F. You should also make sure there are no air bubbles in the liquid, as this may hinder your readings.

More information can be found here: http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/tech ... htm&ID=628

Good Luck
1scienceproject
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:07 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: How do you use a hydrometer to measure the density of water?
Project Due Date: May 4
Project Status: I am conducting my research

Water Density Measurements

Post by 1scienceproject »

Hello. I measured the density of the water with my hydrometer and my first measurement came out to be 1.050 My second measurement came out to be 1.040 What does 1.050 and 1.040 stand for? Thank you!
1scienceproject
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:07 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: How do you use a hydrometer to measure the density of water?
Project Due Date: May 4
Project Status: I am conducting my research

Re: Water Density

Post by 1scienceproject »

Thanks for the great help! :D
deleted-71417
Former Expert
Posts: 932
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:24 am

Re: Water Density Measurements

Post by deleted-71417 »

Hi,

The usual units for density are grams per cubic centimeter. Density is defined as weight per unit volume. Density varies with temperature, so it is customary to also measure and report the temperature( usually in Centigrade also known as Celsius units) at the same time you measure density.

You may want to search the internet for more information. Just enter “density” or whatever term you want to know about in the search box at http://www.google.com and click on go. You will get a list of websites that answer your question(s).

Best Regards,

Barrett Tomlinson
1scienceproject
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:07 pm
Occupation: Student
Project Question: How do you use a hydrometer to measure the density of water?
Project Due Date: May 4
Project Status: I am conducting my research

Which is denser?

Post by 1scienceproject »

Hi!
When I measured the water density I got 1.050 and 1.040
Is 1.050 denser than 1.040?
deleted-71703
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Re: Which is denser?

Post by deleted-71703 »

Yes, 1.050 is denser than 1.040.
Good luck with your project,
Carmen
deleted-71536
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Project Question: How do different animals adapt to their environment?
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Re: Which is denser?

Post by deleted-71536 »

Hi,

I'm not sure what the nature of your project is, but these measurements are fairly close to each other. If the conditions were different for each measurement, then the change in conditions (for example, temperature of the water) could explain the differences. If these two measurements are for similar conditions, it is okay to report the mean (the average of the two numbers).

Good luck with your project!
Heather
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