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Specific Gravity Practice Problems

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Specific gravity relates a liquid's weight to its volume, so you can convert between grams and milliliters. You need it whenever a formula is written by weight but the ingredient is measured by volume, or the other way round.

Formulaspecific gravity = weight (g) ÷ volume (mL)  →  weight = volume × SG  •  volume = weight ÷ SG
Worked example

Glycerin has a specific gravity of 1.25. The weight of 240 mL = 240 × 1.25 = 300 g.

Numerically, SG equals grams per mL because it's referenced to water (1 g/mL).

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Specific Gravity
PEG 400 has a specific gravity of 1.13. What is the weight in grams of 855 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.
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10 Specific Gravity practice problems with worked solutions

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Problem 1: Specific Gravity

A syrup has a specific gravity of 1.31. What is the weight in grams of 835 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 1,093.9 g

Solution
  1. weight (g) = volume (mL) × specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. weight = 835 mL × 1.31 g/mL = 1093.85 g.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 1,093.9 g.

Specific gravity = weight of a substance ÷ weight of an equal volume of water; numerically it's grams per mL.

Problem 2: Specific Gravity

Alcohol has a specific gravity of 0.81. What volume in mL contains 15 g? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 18.5 mL

Solution
  1. volume (mL) = weight (g) ÷ specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. volume = 15 g ÷ 0.81 g/mL ≈ 18.519 mL.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 18.5 mL.

Rearranged from weight = volume × specific gravity. A liquid denser than water (SG > 1) occupies less volume per gram.

Problem 3: Specific Gravity

Mineral oil has a specific gravity of 0.87. What volume in mL contains 500 g? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 574.7 mL

Solution
  1. volume (mL) = weight (g) ÷ specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. volume = 500 g ÷ 0.87 g/mL ≈ 574.713 mL.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 574.7 mL.

Rearranged from weight = volume × specific gravity. A liquid denser than water (SG > 1) occupies less volume per gram.

Problem 4: Specific Gravity

Castor oil has a specific gravity of 0.96. What is the weight in grams of 30 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 28.8 g

Solution
  1. weight (g) = volume (mL) × specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. weight = 30 mL × 0.96 g/mL = 28.8 g.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 28.8 g.

Specific gravity = weight of a substance ÷ weight of an equal volume of water; numerically it's grams per mL.

Problem 5: Specific Gravity

Glycerin has a specific gravity of 1.25. What is the weight in grams of 705 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 881.3 g

Solution
  1. weight (g) = volume (mL) × specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. weight = 705 mL × 1.25 g/mL = 881.25 g.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 881.3 g.

Specific gravity = weight of a substance ÷ weight of an equal volume of water; numerically it's grams per mL.

Problem 6: Specific Gravity

A syrup has a specific gravity of 1.31. What volume in mL contains 260 g? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 198.5 mL

Solution
  1. volume (mL) = weight (g) ÷ specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. volume = 260 g ÷ 1.31 g/mL ≈ 198.473 mL.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 198.5 mL.

Rearranged from weight = volume × specific gravity. A liquid denser than water (SG > 1) occupies less volume per gram.

Problem 7: Specific Gravity

Mineral oil has a specific gravity of 0.87. What is the weight in grams of 840 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 730.8 g

Solution
  1. weight (g) = volume (mL) × specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. weight = 840 mL × 0.87 g/mL = 730.8 g.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 730.8 g.

Specific gravity = weight of a substance ÷ weight of an equal volume of water; numerically it's grams per mL.

Problem 8: Specific Gravity

Propylene glycol has a specific gravity of 1.04. What volume in mL contains 405 g? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 389.4 mL

Solution
  1. volume (mL) = weight (g) ÷ specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. volume = 405 g ÷ 1.04 g/mL ≈ 389.423 mL.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 389.4 mL.

Rearranged from weight = volume × specific gravity. A liquid denser than water (SG > 1) occupies less volume per gram.

Problem 9: Specific Gravity

Propylene glycol has a specific gravity of 1.04. What is the weight in grams of 275 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 286.0 g

Solution
  1. weight (g) = volume (mL) × specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. weight = 275 mL × 1.04 g/mL = 286 g.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 286.0 g.

Specific gravity = weight of a substance ÷ weight of an equal volume of water; numerically it's grams per mL.

Problem 10: Specific Gravity

Alcohol has a specific gravity of 0.81. What is the weight in grams of 210 mL? Round your answer to one decimal place.

Answer 170.1 g

Solution
  1. weight (g) = volume (mL) × specific gravity (g/mL).
  2. weight = 210 mL × 0.81 g/mL = 170.1 g.
  3. Rounded as the question asks: 170.1 g.

Specific gravity = weight of a substance ÷ weight of an equal volume of water; numerically it's grams per mL.

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