Relative density of mercury is 13.6. What does this statement mean?

Asked by Devika PC | 5th Nov, 2014, 05:40: PM

Expert Answer:

Relative density of a substance is the ratio of its density to that of water.ie.
 begin mathsize 14px style Relative space density space of space straight a space substance equals fraction numerator Density space of space the space substance over denominator Density space of space water end fraction Here space it space is space given space that space relative space density space of space mercury space is space 13.6 comma rightwards double arrow Relative space density space of space mercury space equals fraction numerator Density space of space mercury over denominator density space of space water end fraction equals 13.6 end style
So relative density of mercury is 13.6 means that density of mercury is 13.6 times the density of water.
Or in other terms:
 
begin mathsize 14px style We space know space that space Density space equals Mass over Volume So space substituting space for space density comma space relative space density space of space straight a space substance space can space be space written space as : Relative space density space of space straight a space substance space equals fraction numerator Mass space of space the space substance over denominator Volume space of space the space substance end fraction cross times fraction numerator Volume space of space water over denominator Mass space of space water end fraction If space we space take space equal space volumes space of space the space substance space and space equal space volumes space of space water comma the space volume space factors space cancels space out rightwards double arrow Relative space density space of space straight a space substance space equals fraction numerator Mass space of space the space substance over denominator Mass space of space an space equal space volume space of space water end fraction end style
Hence we can say that relative density of mercury is 13.6 means that mercury is 13.6 times as heavy as an equal volume of water.

Answered by Jyothi Nair | 6th Nov, 2014, 08:58: AM

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