17
Specific Gravity Determination:
The below balance weighing apparatus shown previously is ideal for determining specific gravity. Specific
gravity is the ratio of the mass of a body to the mass of an equal volume of water. Every mineral has its own
specific gravity (SG). A list may be found in any Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Specific gravity will
classify or authenticate a substance. For instance, a diamond’s SG is 3.50-3.53 while quartz’s is 2.65.
To determine specific gravity using our balance:
1. Install a below balance weighing hangar as shown in the previous section.
2. Install a below balance weighing apparatus, such as a wire hook, including a pan suspended in a bowl of
water. Insure that the pan and the hanger do not touch any part of the bowl and all are totally submerged.
Then tare the balance.
3. Now place the sample to be tested on the balance pan and record the weight reading shown on the display.
You may use any unit of measure you desire.
4. Place the same sample to be tested on the pan suspended in the bowl of water. Make sure that the sample
is completely submerged in the water and record the weight reading shown on the display.
5. Subtract the reading in Step 4 from the reading in Step 3.
6. Divide the reading in Step 3 by the number calculated in Step 5. The result is the SG of your sample.
EXAMPLE: Reading in Step 3 = 6.50
Reading in Step 4 = 4.25
Subtraction = 2.25
Division (Step 6) = 6.50/2.25= 2.89 specific gravity
Security Bracket:
A security bracket is provided on the rear panel providing a convenient method of securing the balance.
Opons:
Below Balance Weighing and Custom Unit of Measure options must be installed at the Scientech factory.
Other options, such as a Scientech printer, may be purchased at any time.
Please contact Scientech at (303)444-1361 or (800) 525-0522 or email us at inst@scientech-inc.com for infor-
mation.
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