Question

The dispersing agent correction in hydrometer reading is always__________

(a) Positive

(b) Both negative and positive

(c) Negative

(d) Equal

I had been asked this question in unit test.

This is a very interesting question from Hydrometer Method in section Index Properties Determination of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) Negative

The best I can explain: The addition of dispersing agent in water increases its water level, therefore the dispersing correction is always negative.