HYDROMETER
Teh Yu Han (20)
Teh Ke Xin (19)
Goh Wei Ying (09)
Hydrometer 比重计 (pg290)
Purpose: measure the density of liquid
Structure :
[Link]
– Contains lead shot or mercury to keep it upright in the
liquid. 竖直地漂浮在水面上
[Link] Tube
– making readings more precise 准确
[Link] Markings
– Shows values for relative density
Working:
1. In low-density liquid.
hydrometer sinks deeper
give low readings
2. In high-density liquid
hydrometer floats higher
give high readings
Application:
[Link] hydrometer
used at milk manufacturing
factories to test the dilution 稀释
of milk
Structure 1
Figure above shows a glass tube with cross-sectional area 横截面积of 10 cm² and
mass 10 g. It is filled with lead shots and immerse in water. The tube floats upright
in the water. [Density of water is 10 g/cm³]
[Link] the name of this device.
：Hydrometer
[Link] one use of this device in a laboratory.
：To measure the density of liquids.
[Link] the function of the lead shots in the glass tube?To :lower
down the centre of :gravity of the glass tube so that it does not topple
推翻 when immerse in water.
[Link] length of the glass tube immerse in water is 12 cm. Calculate
a) the volume of water displaced by the glass tube
A = 10 cm²
h = 12 cm
Let the volume of water = V
V = hA = (12)(10) = 120 cm³
b) the weight of the displaced water.
Mass of the displaced water = 120g = 0.12 kg
Weight of the displaced water = mg = 0.12 x 10 = 1.2 N
[Link] glass tube are placed inside a container that filled with cooking oil. Again,
the tube floats upright.
cross-sectional area :10 cm² a）What can be observed in the part of tube that is immerse in the oil when
mass : 10 g compared with the condition in figure above? Why?
Density of water is 10 g/cm³ :The part of tube that is immerse in the oil became longer
The density of the oil is lower than the water.
Therefore, the volume of oil displaced is greater than the volume of the water
displaced to produce the upthrust 上升推力 of same magnitude.
A hydrometer floating in two different
liquids, Liquid X and Liquid [Link]
the hydrometer floating higher in Liquid
X and lower in Liquid Y.
Liquid X
(a) Based on the diagram, compare the
relative density of Liquid X and Liquid Y.
Liquid X has a higher relative
density than Liquid Y.
The hydrometer floats higher in
Liquid X and lower in Liquid Y,
indicating that Liquid X is denser.
Liquid Y
A hydrometer floating in two different
liquids, Liquid X and Liquid [Link]
the hydrometer floating higher in Liquid
X and lower in Liquid Y.
Liquid X
(b) Explain why the hydrometer floats higher in
Liquid X than in Liquid Y.
According to Archimedes' Principle, an
object floats when the weight of the
displaced liquid equals the weight of the
object.
Liquid X has a higher density, meaning it
provides more upthrust, causing the
hydrometer to float higher.
Liquid Y has a lower density, so the
hydrometer displaces more liquid and sinks
Liquid Y deeper to balance the forces.
A hydrometer floating in two different
liquids, Liquid X and Liquid [Link]
the hydrometer floating higher in Liquid
X and lower in Liquid Y.
Liquid X
(c) The stem of a hydrometer is made long and
narrow. Explain the advantage of this design.
A long and narrow stem increases the
sensitivity of the hydrometer.
Small changes in relative density result in
significant changes in the floating level,
allowing for more precise readings.
The finer精细 scale markings help users to
differentiate small variations in liquid
density accurately.
Liquid Y
Essay
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the relative density of liquids.
(a) Explain the principle原理 behind the working of a hydrometer. (4 marks)
A hydrometer works based on Archimedes’ Principle阿基米德原理, which states that an
object floating in a fluid experiences an upthrust equal to the weight of the displaced
fluid.
The hydrometer sinks until the weight of the liquid displaced equals its own weight.
A liquid with higher relative density provides more upthrust 上 推 , causing the
hydrometer to float higher.
A liquid with lower relative density provides less upthrust, causing the hydrometer to
sink deeper.
Essay
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the relative density of liquids.
(b) Describe how a hydrometer is used to measure the relative density of a liquid. (3 marks)
The hydrometer is gently placed into the liquid to avoid air bubbles.
It is allowed to float freely without touching the sides of the container.
The reading is taken at the meniscus level (eye-level with the liquid surface).
The scale on the hydrometer gives the relative density of the liquid.
In denser liquids (e.g., saltwater), the hydrometer floats higher, while in less dense liquids
(e.g., alcohol), it sinks deeper.
Essay
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the relative density of liquids.
(c) The accuracy of a hydrometer reading can be affected by several factors. Discuss two
factors that affect its accuracy and suggest ways to improve its precision. (3 marks)
Factor 1: Temperature
The density of a liquid changes with temperature. A higher temperature
decreases density, leading to inaccurate readings.
Improvement: Use a temperature-corrected hydrometer or ensure all
readings are taken at a standard temperature (e.g., 20°C).
Essay
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the relative density of liquids.
(c) The accuracy of a hydrometer reading can be affected by several factors. Discuss two
factors that affect its accuracy and suggest ways to improve its precision. (3 marks)
Factor 2: Air Bubbles or Contaminants (impurities) 杂质
Air bubbles or impurities in the liquid can change the buoyancy 浮 力 of the
hydrometer, leading to incorrect readings.
Improvement: Ensure the hydrometer is clean before use and remove any bubbles by
tapping it gently.
Thank you
for listening