The Baume scale is a measurement of liquid density commonly used in industries like petroleum and alcohol. The phonetic transcription of Baume is /bɔm/, which can be confusing when written as it contains a silent "e". The origin of the word comes from Antoine Baume, the French chemist who invented the scale in 1768. The Baume scale is useful in determining the specific gravity or concentration of liquids, and it is important to spell it correctly to avoid any misunderstandings in technical fields.
The Baume scale, named after its French inventor, Antoine Baume, is a measurement scale commonly used to determine the density or specific gravity of liquids. It is primarily employed in the field of hydrometry, particularly in the analysis of solutions such as syrups and industrial liquids.
The Baume scale operates on the principle of comparing the density of a liquid sample to the density of water. The scale consists of two main divisions, namely the Baume scale for liquids heavier than water and the Baume scale for liquids lighter than water. Each scale is further divided into degrees, representing specific measurements.
On the Baume scale for liquids heavier than water, zero degrees Baume represents the density of pure water, while the degrees increase as the density of the liquid sample surpasses that of water. Conversely, on the Baume scale for liquids lighter than water, zero degrees corresponds to the density of a solution made up of 10% by weight of sodium chloride in water. The degrees of this scale decrease as the density of the sample is further reduced.
To measure the density of a liquid using the Baume scale, a specialized hydrometer called a Baume hydrometer is utilized. This instrument is calibrated to display the corresponding Baume degrees based on the liquid's density. It provides a convenient method to determine the concentration or quantity of dissolved solids in a liquid sample, making it a valuable tool in various industries.
One of two hydrometer scales for determining the specific gravity of liquids heavier and lighter than water respectively. To read the Baume scale in terms of specific gravity: for liquids lighter than water divide 140 by 130 plus the Baume degree; for liquids heavier than water divide 145 by 145 minus the Baume degree.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "Baume scale" is named after Antoine Baume, a French pharmacist and chemist who invented the Baume hydrometer in the late 18th century. The word "Baume" itself comes from the French pronunciation of his surname. The Baume scale is a measurement system used to determine the density or specific gravity of liquids, particularly in the context of measuring the concentration of sugar in a solution. Baume introduced two different scales for liquids of different densities, known as the Baume degrees.