What is the term for the ratio of the weight of a material to that of the same volume of water?

The term for the ratio of the weight of a material to that of the same volume of water is specific gravity. This concept is crucial in fields such as engineering, geology, and material science because it helps determine the density of materials in relation to water, which serves as a standard reference.

Specific gravity is a dimensionless quantity; it indicates how dense a material is compared to water, which has a specific gravity of 1. If the specific gravity is greater than 1, the material is denser than water, while a specific gravity less than 1 indicates it is less dense. Understanding specific gravity is vital for applications like floatation, stability analysis, and material selection in construction and surveying.

The other terms listed in the choices relate to different concepts in surveying and mapping. For instance, planimetric maps represent horizontal features without elevation details. Isohyetal maps show lines of equal precipitation, and an ALTA Survey is a comprehensive land survey aligning with specific standards for real estate transactions. These definitions highlight the distinct nature of each term compared to the concept of specific gravity.