Specific gravity is affected by which two factors?

Specific gravity is affected by which two factors?

• A. Battery age
• B. Plate material
• C. Temperature and state of charge
• D. Electrolyte color

Answer: (C)

Specific gravity reflects how concentrated the sulfuric acid is in the electrolyte, which tracks how charged the battery is. When the battery is fully charged, more acid relative to water is present, so the solution is denser and the SG is higher. When discharged, there’s more water relative to acid, so the SG drops. Temperature also changes density: warmer electrolyte becomes less dense and cooler electrolyte more dense, so SG readings shift with temperature unless you compensate. That combination—temperature and state of charge—determines the SG value you measure. Battery age isn’t a direct, consistent factor in SG readings, plate material doesn’t change the electrolyte density, and electrolyte color isn’t a reliable indicator of SG.

Specific gravity reflects how concentrated the sulfuric acid is in the electrolyte, which tracks how charged the battery is. When the battery is fully charged, more acid relative to water is present, so the solution is denser and the SG is higher. When discharged, there’s more water relative to acid, so the SG drops. Temperature also changes density: warmer electrolyte becomes less dense and cooler electrolyte more dense, so SG readings shift with temperature unless you compensate. That combination—temperature and state of charge—determines the SG value you measure.

Battery age isn’t a direct, consistent factor in SG readings, plate material doesn’t change the electrolyte density, and electrolyte color isn’t a reliable indicator of SG.