Question Details

The specific gravity of lipid is

Options

A

1.5

B

1.0

C

0.8

D

0.2

Correct Answer :

0.8

Solution :

The correct option is 0.8.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding Specific Gravity:
Specific gravity (also known as relative density) is a dimensionless quantity defined as the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (typically water at 4 °C, which has a density of 1.0 g/cm³ or 1000 kg/m³).
The formula is given by:
Specific Gravity = ρ substance ρ H 2 O

2. Density of Lipids:
Lipids (fats and oils) are hydrophobic organic molecules. Due to their chemical structure, which consists of hydrocarbon chains, lipids are less dense than water. The density of most biological lipids and dietary fats typically ranges between 0.8 g/cm³ and 0.9 g/cm³.

3. Calculating Specific Gravity:
If we take the average density of lipids to be approximately 0.8 g/cm³ and compare it to the density of water (1.0 g/cm³), we find:
Specific Gravity of Lipid 0.8 g/cm³ 1.0 g/cm³ = 0.8

Because lipids have a specific gravity less than 1.0, they are buoyant and float on top of water.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.