Public Health Sanitarian Practice Test

The correct range of specific gravity indicated by a lactometer graduated from 0 to 29 degrees is typically associated with the density of milk and its constituents. Lactometers are designed to measure the specific gravity of liquids, particularly milk, and the range of 0.85 to 1.00 is indicative of the lower density of milk compared to water, which has a specific gravity of 1.00.

Milk varies in density based on factors such as fat content and composition. The range of 0.85 to 1.00 includes the densities encountered in different types of milk and provides valuable information about the quality and composition of the milk.

Understanding the specific gravity is critical for assessing milk quality, as a higher specific gravity often correlates with higher fat and solids content, which is essential for evaluating the nutritional value and quality of dairy products. Therefore, this range aligns well with the practical applications of lactometry in dairy science and public health.