densimeter

/den'simitə/

Thân thiện

A scientist uses a densimeter to test the density of a liquid sample.

Definition

Noun: A densimeter is a scientific instrument used to measure the density or specific gravity of a liquid or, less commonly, a solid. Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance, and specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to the density of a reference substance (usually water). This instrument is crucial in fields like chemistry, brewing, winemaking, and quality control in various industries.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The chemist used a densimeter to check the concentration of the saline solution.
  • In winemaking, a densimeter (often called a hydrometer) helps determine the sugar content and potential alcohol level of the must.
  • The quality control lab requires a precise densimeter to ensure the fuel meets specific density standards.

Advanced Usage

• "To take a densimeter reading": The act of using the instrument to obtain a measurement.
  • After calibrating the device, the technician took a densimeter reading of the coolant.

Variants and Related Words

• Hydrometer (n): A specific, common type of densimeter used for measuring the specific gravity of liquids. While all hydrometers are densimeters, not all densimeters (like digital or oscillating types) are hydrometers.
  • A brewer's hydrometer is essential for making beer.
• Pycnometer (n): A glass flask used to determine the density of a fluid or solid by measuring its weight and volume precisely.
• Densimetry (n): The measurement of density.

Synonyms

• Hydrometer: (for liquids)
• Gravitometer: (less common)
• Density gauge: (general term)

Related Phrases

• Density measurement: The process of determining density.
• Specific gravity test: A common application of a densimeter.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a measuring instrument for determining density or specific gravity

Từ đồng nghĩa

• densitometer