API gravity is a measure of

API gravity is a measure of

• A. Temperature
• B. Density of petroleum liquids
• C. Pressure
• D. Volume

Answer: (B)

API gravity is the density-related scale used in the oil industry to compare how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is relative to water. It’s derived from the liquid’s specific gravity at a reference temperature (typically 60°F). The relationship is inversely proportional: higher API numbers mean lighter, less dense liquids, while lower API numbers mean heavier, more dense liquids. Because of this, API gravity tells you about density, not temperature, pressure, or volume. This makes it useful for classifying crudes and understanding how they behave in processes, transport, and separation. For example, lighter oils with higher API gravity tend to yield more light products, whereas heavier oils with lower API gravity are denser and require different handling.

API gravity is the density-related scale used in the oil industry to compare how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is relative to water. It’s derived from the liquid’s specific gravity at a reference temperature (typically 60°F). The relationship is inversely proportional: higher API numbers mean lighter, less dense liquids, while lower API numbers mean heavier, more dense liquids. Because of this, API gravity tells you about density, not temperature, pressure, or volume. This makes it useful for classifying crudes and understanding how they behave in processes, transport, and separation. For example, lighter oils with higher API gravity tend to yield more light products, whereas heavier oils with lower API gravity are denser and require different handling.