What does the specific gravity of a brine sample indicate?

The specific gravity of a brine sample provides an indication of the concentration of the salt in the solution, which is closely linked to the freezing temperature of the brine. As the concentration of salt increases, the specific gravity also increases, and this change in concentration affects the freezing point of the solution. Higher concentrations of salt lower the freezing temperature, allowing brine to remain liquid at lower temperatures. Therefore, by measuring the specific gravity, one can infer how much salt is present, which in turn helps in understanding at what temperature the brine will freeze. This is crucial in applications such as refrigeration, where brine is often used as a coolant because of its ability to remain liquid at lower temperatures compared to pure water.