Specific Gravity

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

The strength of the battery electrolyte is determined by comparing its weight to that of an equal volume of pure water. Pure water has a specific gravity (weight) of 1.000. Let's suppose that we compare 1 gallon of water to 1 gallon of a second substance and find that the second substance weighs 2½ times more than the water. The second substance is said to have a specific gravity of 2.500 or 2½ times that of water. Pure sulfuric acid has a specific gravity of 1.835.

Since electrolyte is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water, the specific gravity of electrolyte will be more than the 1.000 of the water but less than the 1.835 of the acid. The mixture that is generally placed in batteries has a specific gravity of 1.280, and by volume it contains 73-percent water and 27-percent sulfuric acid.

Often the specific gravity of the electrolyte is simply referred to as the gravity of the battery. Also, it is customary to omit the decimal point and refer to a specific gravity of 1.280 as "twelve eighty," 1.200 as "twelve hundred," and so forth. Variations of gravity in the third decimal place are referred to as points. For example, 1.284 is four points higher than 1.280.

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1. Electrical System
2. The Battery
3. The Starter
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5. The Voltage Regulator
6. Lighting
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8. Interior Lights
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10. Turn Signals and Hazard Lights
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14. Electrical Symbols
15. Types Of Electrical Circuits
16. Electrical Circuit Defects
17. Introduction To Automotive Batteries
18. Battery Construction
19. Battery Operation
20. Specific Gravity
21. Voltage And Capacity
22. Battery Ratings
23. Testing Automotive Batteries
24. Preventive Maintenance Of Batteries
25. Optical Battery & Antifreeze Tester
26. Measuring Specific Gravity With The Optical Battery Tester

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