What is a hydrometer and what is it used for? Is it similar to a hygrometer?
These two lab instruments are very different from each other even though they may sound similar. They have different purposes and measure different things.
A hydrometer is usually used in a lab and can measure the specific gravity and relative density of liquids. It can give you the ratio of the density of the liquid in comparison to the density of the water.
Like most other lab materials, this instrument is made of glass and is shaped like a tall jar similar to beakers. It also has a cylindrical stem and bulb that is weighted with either mercury or lead to help it float.
The liquid that you are testing is poured into the jar and then you insert the actual hydrometer. You lower it down until it starts to float freely on its own and then write down at which point the surface of the liquid touches the stem.
Some hydrometers include a paper scale (found inside the stem) that can give you an instant reading of the specific gravity. Otherwise you must mark where the liquid touched the stem and take it out to measure it.
Hydrometers have different uses for measuring the density of liquids. For example, you can measure the density of sugar in a liquid, the level of alcohol in a drink, or the creaminess density in milk.
The scales that are used to measure these things are going to be Plato, Oechsle, or Brix. Whichever scale you use will depend on what you are trying to measure.
In lower density liquids, the hydrometer will sink pretty deeply while in higher density liquids, it will not sink as much. Think about what happens to you when you are swimming in a lake in comparison to the ocean.
The lake is fresh water and so it is not as dense as the ocean which is filled with salt. It is a lot easier to float in salt water because of the density of it compared to less dense lake water.
The more salt in the water, the easier you will float. The less salt in the water, the more you will sink.
So what is a hygrometer? A hygrometer is an instrument that is used to measure humidity.
It is also sometimes called a psychrometer and has two thermometers. One of the thermometers has a dry bulb while the other has a wet bulb to measure the wet bulb temperature.
The electronic devices are used to record the changes in condensation, electrical resistance and electrical capacitance. All of these indicators help measure the changes in humidity.
Humidity is not the easiest thing to measure in meteorology. This is because coming up with good quality instruments are harder to produce.
When you put two different thermometers into the insulated vessels, it is hard to get a really good accurate reading. Their temperatures must be taken in the air rather than water which makes any heat transfer less effective.
So instead of getting an “absolute” temperature reading, you are stuck with a relative humidity reading. Relative humidity factors in both the temperature and the moisture content, so you will have little variations in the air in the test chamber.
Usually hygrometers are used in saunas, humidors, museums, greenhouses and some industrial spaces. They are rarely used in residential areas.
You might want to have a hygrometer in your house if you are worried about having the humidity too high and promoting the growth of mildew and dust mite. Or you might want to have a hygrometer in your home if you are worried about not having enough humidity which can damage the human skin and body.
Painters frequently will use hygrometers in the work. This is because you need to be careful when applying paint because it is very sensitive to the humidity and dew point.
These are just a couple of lab instruments that are used in science experiments to help measure two different things. One measures the density of liquids while the other measures the humidity.
About the author of this article:
Jack R. Landry has worked since 1987 selling laboratory products and supplies to various labs and schools across the country. He has written hundreds of articles about lab supplies.
Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://www.Avogadro-Lab-Supply.com
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