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Specific Weight Formula:
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Specific weight (γ) is the weight per unit volume of a material. It is calculated by multiplying the density (ρ) of a substance by the acceleration due to gravity (g). Unlike density, specific weight depends on the local gravitational field.
The calculator uses the specific weight formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the force exerted by gravity on a unit volume of a substance, which represents its specific weight.
Details: Specific weight is important in fluid mechanics, civil engineering, and material science. It helps determine buoyancy forces, structural loads in fluids, and the behavior of materials under gravitational forces.
Tips: Enter density in kg/m³ and gravitational acceleration in m/s². Standard gravity is approximately 9.81 m/s² on Earth's surface. All values must be positive.
Q1: What's the difference between density and specific weight?
A: Density is mass per unit volume (kg/m³), while specific weight is weight per unit volume (N/m³). Specific weight includes the effect of gravity.
Q2: Does specific weight change with location?
A: Yes, since gravitational acceleration varies slightly at different locations on Earth and significantly on other celestial bodies.
Q3: What are typical specific weight values for common materials?
A: Water has a specific weight of about 9810 N/m³ at standard conditions. Mercury's specific weight is approximately 133,000 N/m³.
Q4: How is specific weight used in engineering applications?
A: It's used in calculating hydrostatic pressure, designing dams and retaining walls, and analyzing fluid behavior in pipes and channels.
Q5: Can specific weight be negative?
A: No, specific weight is always positive as both density and gravitational acceleration are positive quantities.