how to measure density of liquid using hydrometer

For example, a reading of 1.072 is called "ten-seventy-two.". Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of a liquid to the mass of an equal volume of pure water. Detailed Description. With a few exceptions, most beers have an FG around 1.007 to 1.015. This article has been viewed 135,439 times. Read the hydrometer scale at the lowest point of the surface of the liquid. There are formulas to adjust your measurement based on temperature. Something with a SG of less than 1 is less dense than water (and will float), and something with a SG of above 1 is more dense and will sink. Using a hydrometer is easy if you follow a few simple steps to ensure consistent and accurate results. It also includes one Enviro-Safe® Total Immersion Thermometer to reference liquid… Thank you. You aren't testing the salt content per se, you're testing the density of the water compared to ideal, pure water. For example, if your hydrometer reads 0.999 in pure water, add 0.001 to all measurements. It is measured throughout industry to gain insight into materials, for example their purity, concentration of components, and composition. Brewers use hydrometers to track the progress of beer or other fermented drinks, since the liquid's density decreases as yeast converts sugar into alcohol. Please refer to the attached picture below. https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/how-to-brew/how-to-take-an-accurate-hydrometer-reading/, http://www.morebeer.com/brewingtechniques/library/backissues/issue1.3/manning.html, http://byo.com/stories/item/411-calibrate-your-hydrometer-and-fermenter-techniques, http://byo.com/hops/item/1313-refractometers, http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/02/04/beer-styles-original-gravity-and-final-gravity-chart/, http://learn.kegerator.com/specific-gravity/, https://byo.com/mead/item/411-calibrate-your-hydrometer-and-fermenter-techniques, https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/attachments/0000/2497/Math_in_Mash_SummerZym95.pdf, https://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/defining-gravity, http://howtobrew.com/book/appendices/appendix-a/using-hydrometers, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. At this point, record the number on your hydrometer that is being crossed by the liquid-air line. However, for all intents and purposes, if you're testing seawater, then you're testing the salinity by testing the density. Liquid density and specific gravity using pycnometer. Ensure the pycnometer is dry enough, complete with its stopper and record its weight. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 135,439 times. UDC engineering department. Make sure that the liquid in the container is deep enough to allow the... 2. The Balling and Brix scales measure the sugar concentration in a solution, but the units are close enough to the Plato scale that you can use them interchangeably for home brewing. Date Taken: Saturday, March 3, 2018 Location Taken: US Photographer wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. A hydrometer is a basic tool that is used to measure the relative density of liquids.More specifically the density between water and other liquids like beer and wine. The level to which the liquid rises is where your gravity reading should occur (we’ll call this the liquid-air line). In the case of winemaking, a hydrometer is used to measure must or wine density, which is increased by fermentable sugars and other must/wine substances. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. Just be sure it stays erect on the liquid and read the lower meniscus of the liquid surrounding the instrument. If your hydrometer is calibrated for 60ºF (15.6ºC), use the following chart when measuring at different temperatures. Adjust temperature for a standard hydrometer. How to use a Maple Syrup or Sap Hydrometer How to Use Your Syrup Hydrometer: Fill the hydrometer test cup with syrup until it is approximately 1 to 2 inches from the top and place it on a level surface. A hydrometer with the Plato scale gives you the result directly: one degree Plato = 1% of sucrose by weight. mass of a liquid to the mass of an equal volume of distilled water. Approximately $17-$23 dollars give or take. Thank you very much!". If you get a higher reading, your liquid is heavier than water, and if you get a lower reading, it’s lighter. This means the tool will sink lower in a less dense liquid. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Because the density of a liquid changes with temperature, hydrometers are calibrated for … We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The more sugar in a wort, the higher the OG, and the higher alcohol content in the final beer. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Multiply the Plato measurement by 0.004 and add 1 for a specific gravity estimate that's close enough for homebrewing purposes. Most homebrew hydrometers are calibrated at 59–60°F (15–15.6°C ), and most laboratory hydrometers are calibrated at 68°F (20.0°C). API gravity = 141.5/S.G(at 15.6 °C) – 131.5 Note: Ø API gravity > 40 paraffinic (or light) based crude oil Ø API gravity = 33-40 mixed (or intermediate) based crude oil Ø API gravity < 33 napthenic ( asphaltic or heavy)based crude oil Using the mass difference and the liquid density the volume of the sample can be determined. A hydrometer that uses the Plato or Balling scale will read 0.00º. Hydrometers can lose accuracy over time. 2nd floor laboratory. When brewing, test the wort after visible signs of fermentation have ended, but before pitching the yeast. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The increments of your hydrometer represent specific gravity points. ASTM D7777 describes the use of portable density meters (also called digital hydrometers) and requires a precision of 1 kg/m³ whereas ASTM D4052 covers fuel density measurements by means of digital density meters in the laboratory and requires a precision of 0.1 kg/m³; it further describes how measuring errors such as gas bubbles in the liquid can be detected by means of physical or optical methods.