api gravity scale: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, scientific
Quick answer
What does “api gravity scale” mean?
A standard, dimensionless measure of the density of petroleum liquids relative to water at standard conditions, used to classify crude oil and petroleum products.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A standard, dimensionless measure of the density of petroleum liquids relative to water at standard conditions, used to classify crude oil and petroleum products.
A scale developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to quantify the relative heaviness or lightness of petroleum liquids; higher API numbers indicate less dense, lighter oils that flow more easily, while lower numbers indicate denser, heavier oils.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is spelled and used identically in both variants, as it is a technical international standard. No regional lexical alternatives exist.
Connotations
Technical, precise, industrial.
Frequency
Exclusively used in the relevant technical/industrial contexts with equal frequency in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “api gravity scale” in a Sentence
[Crude oil] has/possesses a(n) [API gravity] of [number].The [API gravity scale] is used to [classify/determine] [crude oil density].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “api gravity scale” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- API-gravity readings
- The API-gravity measurement
American English
- API gravity reading
- The API gravity measurement
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in oil trading and market reports to specify the grade and quality of crude oil.
Academic
Used in petroleum engineering, geology, and chemistry papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Essential term for describing, classifying, and trading petroleum products.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “api gravity scale”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “api gravity scale”
- Incorrect capitalization: writing 'Api gravity scale'. It's an acronym and must be in uppercase. Confusing it with specific gravity; they are inversely related. Using it as a general term for weight or mass.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It stands for the American Petroleum Institute, the industry association that developed this standard measurement.
API gravity is calculated using a specific formula based on the specific gravity (SG) of the oil at 60°F: API gravity = (141.5 / SG) - 131.5.
Yes. By definition, water has an API gravity of 10. Oils lighter than water have API gravities greater than 10.
No, it is a specialized scale developed specifically for and used almost exclusively within the petroleum and petrochemical industries.
A standard, dimensionless measure of the density of petroleum liquids relative to water at standard conditions, used to classify crude oil and petroleum products.
Api gravity scale is usually technical, scientific in register.
Api gravity scale: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.piːˈaɪ ˈɡræv.ə.ti ˌskeɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.piːˈaɪ ˈɡræv.ə.t̬i ˌskeɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: **A**mericans **P**robably **I**nvented this scale for measuring how **GRA**vity affects their **V**aluable **I**TY (oil viscosity). API GRA-VI-TY.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASUREMENT AS A LADDER (The scale metaphorically places oils on 'rungs' from heavy at the bottom to light at the top).
Practice
Quiz
What does a higher API gravity value indicate?