Abstract
IN Prof. Wyville Thomson's work “The Depths of the Sea” there appears to me a curious discrepancy between two statements of the specific gravity of the sea, to which it may be useful to direct general attention. At p. 505, Mr. W. L. Carpenter states that the average specific gravity of surface-water, at a sufficient distance from land to be unaffected by local disturbances, was 1·02779, At p. 513, Dr. Frankland gives the specific gravity of four samples of surface-water, the mean of which is only 1·0267, even less than the minimum value as given by Mr. Carpenter. Both results are said to be for temperature 60° F. I should have expected Dr. Frankland's determination to have been the higher, from possible loss by evaporation. The difference may probably be due to want of identity of indication between the instruments used. From whatever cause it may arise, the difference is so considerable, as to leave no doubt whatever that it ought to be accounted for in some way; and the error wherever it lies fully exposed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
STRACHAN, R. Specific Gravity of Sea-water. Nature 9, 183 (1874). https://doi.org/10.1038/009183d0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/009183d0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.