Experiment No.

2
Specific Gravity Determination
Objective:
The activity aims to determine the specific gravity of fluids using U-tube manometer
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1. Determine the specific gravity of fluids using U-tube manometer
2. Expand the knowledge on other uses of U-Tube in other experiments.
Apply the techniques and skills in using U-Tube relevant to professional engineering practice.
Discussion:

Specific gravity of a fluid is the dimensionless ratio of specific weight y or density p of a fluid to the specific
weight ys or density ps of the standard substance,
s=

y p
=
y s ps

For liquids and solids, the standard substance is pure water at 4 oC at which temperature, its specific
weight, ys = 9.81KN/m3 and 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 0 oC and under a pressure of 101.3 KPa. Air at this temperature and pressure
has ys = 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
Liquids whose specific gravity are to be determined

Procedure:
1. Pour a quantity of distilled water in the U-tube glass manometer.

2. Add a quantity of soil inside the U-tube glass manometer until it stands
3. Measure the heights of water and oil inside the U-tube.
4. Using the formula derived below. Determine the unknown specific gravity of your desired liquid.
p1
y H 2O

Y1
p
2
h 1 y H 2O
(1.2)

Points 1 and 2 and are exposed to the atmosphere, therefore, gage pressure is zero
S 1 y H 2O h 1=S 2 y H 2 O h2
(1.3)
If fluid 1 has known specific gravity, then
S 2=

S1h1
h2
(1.4)

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

Data and Results:

FLUID

H1

H2

H3

KEROSENE

5.7

DIESEL

7.85

7.3

OIL

7.3

17

9.3

Computation:
H K 1=H X=15.58.5=7
H K 2=H X=16.77.7=9
H K 3=H X=13.37.6=5.7
H D 1=HX =114=7
H D 2=H X=15.77.85=7.85
H D 1=HX =16.39=7.3
H O 1=H X=135.7=7.3
H O 2=H X=22.95.9=17
H O 3=H X=177.7=9.3

Specific Gravities:
H
8.9
S .G . K 1= W 1 =
=1.271
H K1 7

S .G . K 2=

H W 2 11.5
=
=1.278
H K2
9

S .G . K 3=

H W 3 7.2
=
=1.263
H K 3 5.7

S .G . D 1=

H D 1 8.1
=
=1.157
H D1 7

S .G . D 2=

H D 2 9.15
=
=1.166
H D 2 7.85

S .G . D 3=

H D 3 8.5
=
=1.164
H D 3 7.3

S .G .O 1=

H O 1 7.6
=
=1.041
H O 1 7.3

S .G .O 2=

H O 2 17.4
=
=1.024
H O 2 17

S .G .O 3=

H O3 10.1
=
=1.01 .086
H O3 9.3

Documentation:

RESOURCES AND INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED

PURING OF DISTILLED WATER

POURING OF KEROSENE

POURING OF DIESEL

POURING OF OIL

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP

Observation:

Conclusion:
In the experiment performed, we obtained the specific gravity of different kinds of liquid namely; kerosene,
diesel and oil.

Assessment: (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

CRITERIA

BEGINNER

ACCEPTABLE

PROFICIENT

Laboratory Skills
Manipulative

Members do not demonstrate

Members occasionally demonstrate

Members always demonstrate

Skills

needed skills.

needed skills.

needed skills.

SCORE

Experimental

Members are unable to set-up the

Members are able to set-up the

Members are able to set-up the

Set-up

materials.

materials with supervision.

materials with minimum supervision.

Process Skills

Members do not demonstrate

Members occasionally demonstrate

Members always demonstrate

targeted process skills.

targeted process skills.

targeted process skills.

Safety

Members do not follow safety

Members follow safety precautions

Members follow safety precautions

Precautions

precautions.

most of the time.

all the time.

Work Habits
Time

Members finish ahead of time with

Management/

Members do not finish on time with

Members finish on time with

complete data and time to revise

Conduct of

incomplete data.

incomplete data.

data.

Cooperative

Members do not know their tasks

Members have defined

Members are on tasks and have

and Teamwork

and have no defined

responsibilities most of the time.

defined responsibilities at all times.

responsibilities. Group conflicts

Group conflicts are cooperatively

Group conflicts are cooperatively

have to be settled by the teacher.

managed most of the time.

managed at all times.

Neatness and

Messy workplace during and after

Clean and orderly workplace with

Clean and orderly workplace at all

Orderliness

the experiment.

occasional mess during and after

times during and after the

the experiment.

experiment.

Experiment

Ability to do

Members require supervision by the

Members require occasional

Members do not need to be

independent

teacher.

supervision by the teacher.

supervised by the teacher.

work

Other Comments / Observations:

TOTAL SCORE
RATING =
x 100%

(Total Score)
24

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1338 ARLEGUI STREET, QUIAPO, MANILA
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
CE 402 CE41FA2
EXPERIMENT NO. 2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY DETERMINATION

SUBMITTED BY:
STUDENT NUMBER

SIGNATURE
LEADER:

1411447

Alcayde, Marielle Noedin M.

MEMBERS:

1210573

Amoroso, Jonathan D.

1411715

Castro, Edlyn Cloyd C.

1210369

Gutierez, Jerico Noel T.

1411683

Quimson, Jay Christian J.

1420235

Solano, Kim Carlo R.

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. GERARDO G. JUSTO
INSTRUCTOR
November 25, 2015