Question

Tech A says that the specific gravity of the electrolyte can be checked with a hydrometer. Tech B says that the specific gravity of the electrolyte can be checked with a refractometer. Who is correct?

Answer 1

Both Tech A and Tech B are correct as the specific gravity of an electrolyte can be measured using both a hydrometer and a refractometer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both Tech A and Tech B are correct. A hydrometer is a device used to measure the specific gravity of a liquid. It works on the principle of buoyancy; the hydrometer will float higher in a denser fluid and lower in a less dense fluid. The point at which the surface of the liquid touches the stem of the hydrometer correlates to its specific gravity. Therefore, when a hydrometer floats in a fluid, the specific gravity can be read directly from the calibrated scale on the instrument.

Moreover, a refractometer can also be used to measure the specific gravity. A refractometer operates on the principle that light changes direction or refracts when passing from one material into another. The extent of this refraction is correlated to the density of the liquid, which is directly related to its specific gravity.