HYDROMETER

INTRODUCTION
A hydrometer is an instrument that measure the specific gravity of liquids. A
hydrometer is usually made of glass and consists of a cylindrical stem and a bulb
weighted with mercury or lead shot to make it float upright. The liquid to test is
poured into a tall container, often a graduated cylinder, and the hydrometer is
gently into the liquid until it floats freely.
The point at which the surface of the liquid touches the stem of the hydrometer
correlates to specific gravity. Hydrometer usually contain a scale inside the stem,
so that the person using it can read specific gravity. A variety of scale exist for
different contexts.
Hydrometer are calibrated for different uses, such as a lactometer for measuring
the density of milk (creaminess), a saccharometer for measuring the density of
sugar in a liquid. Principle operation of the hydrometer is based on Archimedes
Principle that a solid suspended in a fluid is buoyed by a force equal to the
weight of the fluid displaced by the submerged part of the suspended solid.
Thus, the lower the density of the substance, the farther the hydrometer sinks.
Thus, it is based on the principle of floatation.

OBJECTIVE
To measure the specific gravity of different liquids by using hydrometer method.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Hydrometer is considered the simplest method to determine the density and
specific gravity of a liquid. This method can directly determine the specific
gravity as it divide the specific liquid. With specific gravity of water. A convenient
alternative method is to use a specially calibrated instrument which is
hydrometer. A depth of hydrometer in the liquid is a measured of a liquid density.
The scale is provide which is calibrated to read specific gravity. The sensitivity of
hydrometer depends on the stem. If the stem has a large bulb it is more
sensitive than thin bulb.
APPARATUS

Hydrometer
Graduated cylinder
Liquid sample. [Oil, Dishwashing liquid, Glycerine, Water]

stem
scal
e

liqui
d

Glass air
bulb
weigh
t

PROCEDURE

1. Fill the liquid into the graduated cylinder.

2. Put the hydrometer into the cylinder.

Calibrate it and make sure it is not touch
to the side of the cylinder. Wait it until it
stable.
 3. Read the scale on the hydrometer which
is the specific gravity and record it.
4. Repeat the reading for 3 times to get the
average reading.
5. Repeat the step 3 times using 3 different
rea type of liquid which is water, glycerine
d and dishwashing liquid. Then compared it.

DATA ACQUISITION

Reading of Stem (SG)

Type of Liquid
1 2 3 Average
Water 1.010 1.010 1.010 1.010
Glycerine 1.215 1.210 1.210 1.212
Dishwashing 1.002 1.002 1.002 1.002
liquid