1. What is Relative Density?

Relative density is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference material, typically water. It is a dimensionless quantity that indicates how dense a material is compared to water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the relative density formula:

Where:

• \( RD \) — Relative Density (dimensionless)
• \( \rho \) — Density of the substance (kg/m³)
• \( \rho_w \) — Density of water (kg/m³)

Explanation: The formula calculates how many times denser or lighter a substance is compared to water at specified conditions.

3. Importance of Relative Density Calculation

Details: Relative density is crucial in various fields including material science, geology, and engineering. It helps in identifying substances, determining purity, and understanding buoyancy properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the density of the substance and the density of water (default is 997 kg/m³ at room temperature). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical density of water used as reference?
A: The standard reference is 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C, but 997 kg/m³ is commonly used for room temperature (20-25°C) calculations.

Q2: What does a relative density less than 1 indicate?
A: A relative density less than 1 means the substance is less dense than water and will float on water.

Q3: What does a relative density greater than 1 indicate?
A: A relative density greater than 1 means the substance is denser than water and will sink in water.

Q4: Is relative density the same as specific gravity?
A: Yes, relative density is often referred to as specific gravity, though specific gravity is typically measured at specified temperatures.

Q5: Can relative density be used for gases?
A: Yes, relative density can be calculated for gases, typically using air as the reference substance instead of water.