The specific gravity of a substance is 2.5. What is the density of the material in g/cm^3?

Question

a) 0.4 g/cm^3

b) 2.5 g/cm^3

c) 5.0 g/cm^3

d) .25 g/cm^3

Please explain also so I know how to do this in the future. Thanks

Answer 1

The s.g. is amultiple of the density of water at 4 Degr C. The density of water is 1.0 g/cm^3, therefore the answer is b) 2.5 X 1.0  =2.5 g/cm^3

Answer 2

The specific gravity of a substance is simply the number of times its' density is greater than the density of water.

It is therefore just a number - no units.

Here, the substance has a density 2.5 times greater than that of water.

Since the density of water is 1.0 gm/cm^3, then the substance has density 2.5 gm/cm^3