Estimate based on your own intuition the approximate range o

Estimate, based on your own intuition, the approximate range of densities (or specific gravities or specific weights) ofLIQUIDS that may be of interest to a civil, environmental, or geo- engineer. How much variation from the density of water would you expect? How do the results of your density measurements compare to this estimate? How likely are you to encounter a liquid with a SG = 10? How about SG = 0.1? Describe a situation in which the density difference between two common liquids is important in engineering applications. 2.

Solution

Let us answer stepwise.

1. The range of specific gravities of liquids of interest to engineers is 0.65 to 1.2 and in some cases, it will go more than 10 (mercury=13.6). Oils generally have a Sp.Gr. value of less than Unity i.e. ranging from 0.65 to 0.95 approximately. Water itself can have Sp. Gr of more than unity in case if it is mixed with some impurities.

2. Density of oils is not deviating so much from that of water (around 10-15% variation) except in the case of mercury which is abnormally more than 1300%

3. the exact value of the density cannot be determined by a visual aid but it can be estimated to the nearest value in multiple of 0.1 based on its physical appearance. ( thicker oil nearing to 0.9 and lighter oils nearing to 0.6-0.7 etc)

4. Sp.Gr more than 10 is not often observed. But in case of measurement of pressures, we always prefer using Mercury (13.6) which is more than10.

5. Sp. Gr of 0.1 is very rare to observe practically. But gases will have a value far less than 0.1, so it might be possible to have heavier gases to have a nearer value to 0.1

6. In measuring the pressure of a liquid in a pipe, which is at a higher pressure, a liquid heavier than the liquid in the pipe will be used to limit the rise in the piezometer.( Mercury used in manometers and piezometers)