If a material has density 62.4 lb/ft^3 and the density of water is 62.4 lb/ft^3, what is the specific gravity?

If a material has density 62.4 lb/ft^3 and the density of water is 62.4 lb/ft^3, what is the specific gravity?

• A. 0.95
• B. 1.05
• C. 1.00
• D. 1.10

Answer: (C)

Specific gravity compares how dense a material is to the density of water. It is a dimensionless ratio. If the material’s density equals water’s density, the ratio is 1.00. Here both densities are 62.4 lb/ft^3, so SG = 62.4 / 62.4 = 1.00. This means the material has the same density as water and would be neutrally buoyant in water. Values above 1 indicate a density greater than water, while values below 1 indicate a density less than water.

Specific gravity compares how dense a material is to the density of water. It is a dimensionless ratio. If the material’s density equals water’s density, the ratio is 1.00. Here both densities are 62.4 lb/ft^3, so SG = 62.4 / 62.4 = 1.00. This means the material has the same density as water and would be neutrally buoyant in water. Values above 1 indicate a density greater than water, while values below 1 indicate a density less than water.