THE VISCOUSITY

OF VISCOUS
FLUIDS
(PART A)

INTRODUCTION
The aim of the experiment is to determine the viscosity of glycerine (a viscous fluid) by
using guinea-and-feather apparatus and to determine the viscosity of the glycerine by using
Hoeppler Method.
The theory state that a body that moving in a fluid is acted on by a frictional force in the
opposite direction of its velocity. The magnitude of this force depends on the geometry of the
body, its velocity, and the internal friction of the fluids. A measure for the internal friction is
given by the dynamic viscosity, . For a sphere of radius, r moving at velocity, v in an infinitely
extended fluid of dynamic viscosity, . G. G. Stokes derived the frictional force,
F1 = 6 . . v . r

-------------------- (1)

If the sphere falls down vertically in the fluid, it will move at a constant velocity v after a
certain time, and there will be an equilibrium between all forces acting on the sphere: the
frictional force F1, which acts upward, the buoyancy force,

F 1=

4 3
. r . 2 . g
3

-------------------- (2)

which acts upward too, and the downward acting gravitational force,

F 1=

4 3
. r . 1 . g
3

-------------------- (3)

where,

1 : density of the sphere

2 : density of the fluid
g : acceleration of free fall

This forces fulfil the

relation :

F1 + F2 = F3
-------------------

- (4)

The viscosity can,

therefore be

determined by

measuring the

rate of fall, v.

1 2
g

2 2
r
9
-------------------- (5)
Where, v is to be determined from the distance, s and the time, t of fall. The viscosity then

( 12 ) g t
2
= r 2
9
s

-------------------- (6)

In practice, Equation (1) has to be corrected since the assumption of an infinitely extended fluid
is unrealistic and the velocity distribution of the fluid particles with respect to the surface of the
sphere is influenced by the finite dimensions of the fluid. For the movement of the sphere along
the axis of a cylinder of radius, R and infinite length, for example, the frictional force is

F1=6 v 1+ 2 4

r
R

-------------------- (7)

Equation (6) thus is changed into

( 1 2 ) g t
2
r 2

9
s

1
1+2 4

( Rr )

-------------------- (8)

If the infinite length, L of the fluid cylinder is taken into account, there are further corrections of
the order r/L.
The dynamic viscosity according to Hoeppler Method using HAAKE Falling-ball viscometer is
in accordance with the following equation
K ( 12 ) t (mPa . s)

-------------------- (9)

where,
K=
1 =
2 =
t=

ball constant in mPa.s cm3 / g . s

density of the ball in g cm-3
density of the viscous fluid in g cm-3
falling time of the ball in seconds.

APPARATUS
PART A

1 steel ball (16mm dia)

1 guinea-and-feather apparatus
6 glycerine (99%, 250ml)
Counter P
Holding magnet with clamp
Low voltage power supply (3V, 6V , 9V, 12V)
Morse key
Stand base (V-shape)
Stand rod (100cm)
Stand rod (25cm)
Multiclamp
Clamp with jaw clamp
Steel tape measure (2m)
1 pair magnets cylindrical
Connection leads
Vernier calipers
Measuring cylinder (100ml)
Electronic balance

Figure 1 : Experimental setup for the determination of the viscosity of glycerine

FIGURE 2 : Returning the steel ball

SETUP AND PROCEDURE

1. Setup the experimental apparatus as shown in figure 1.
2. The guinea-and-feather apparatus in the clamp (x) is fixed so that it is propped up on the
experiment table.
3. Turn the knurled screw (a) of the holding magnet down until stopping, so that the iron
core (b) sticks out of the coil former.
4. Connect the holding magnet to the DC output of the low-voltage power supply, and
connect morse key to the negative pole so that the connection is closed (i.e on) when the
morse key is in the rest position. Then, switch on the supply voltage (12 VDC) and the
ball was stick onto the iron core (b).
5. The knurled screw (a) was turn upward by about five turns.
6. Position the holding magnet was with the steel ball above the fluid column in a way that
the steel ball was on concenter with the cylinder axis and was completely dipped in.
7. Mark the guinea-and-feather apparatus some centimetres above its bottom and the
distance of fall, s between the lower edge and the mark (c) is measured.
8. The counter P was set to zero by pressing the key 0
9. Trigger off the morse key, and the falling ball is observed.
10. Release the morse key as soon as the ball has reached the mark (c).
11. The reading of the time of fall, t from the counter P was read and record on the data sheet.

NOTE :
a) If the ball does not falls with a delay :
- Check the connections.
- Turn the iron core a bit upward.
- Choose a lower voltage for holding magnet.
b) If the ball falls without the morse keys being triggered :
-Turn the iron core a bit downward.
12. Repeating The Measurement : Get grip of the steel ball from outside on the bottom of the
vessel with the pair of magnets sticking together (red mark outward), and the ball moved
slowly upward along the wall of the vessel until it reaches the holding magnet. Using a
bent of wire, for example, push the ball exactly below the iron core (see Figure 2).
- Turn the knurled screw upward again, set the counter P to zero, and repeat the
measurement of the time of fall.
13. The procedure no. 12 was repeated to obtain five measurements of the time of fall.
7

14. The average diameter of the steel ball and its mass was determined.
15. The diameter of the guinea-and-feather apparatus was determined.

DATA
PART A
Diameter of steel ball, d = 16.00 0.02mm
Diameter of guinea-and-feather apparatus, D = 48.08 0.02mm
Mass of steel ball, = 16.3 0.1g
Density of steel ball, 1 = 7599.07kg.m-3
Density of the glycerine, 2 = 1260kg.m-3
The distance of fall, s = 59.5 0.1cm
Times of
fall,

Average :
1.497

1.709

1.618

1.589

1.592

1.601

t 0.001s

ANALYSIS
1. From the measuring results, calculate the average value for times of fall of the ball in
glycerine.
2. Calculate the viscosity of the fluids according to the equation 8.
3. Calculate the percentage difference between calculated value and the value quoted in the
literature.
4. Calculate the viscosity of the glycerine according to equation 9
5. Calculate the percentage difference between value calculated in Analysis (4) and the
value obtained from the literature.
6. Compare the result obtained in part A with the result obtained in part B
.
Note that, when compare or state the result with the value taken from the literature, the
temperature of the fluid must be quoted. Why ?

10

ANALYSIS ANSWERS
1. From the measuring results, calculate the average value for times to fall of the ball in the
glycerine.
average value=

reading 1+ reading2 +reading3 +reading 4 +reading 5

thenumber of readings

PART A

1.497+ 1.709+ 1.618+1.589+1.592

5

= 1.601s
PART B

3.684 +3.684+3.661+3.645+3.410
5

= 3.617s
2. Calculate the viscosity of the fluid according to the equation 8.

( 1 2 ) g t
2
r 2

9
s

1
1+2 4

( Rr )

( 7599.071260.00 ) ( 9.81 ) (1.601)

2
8 2

9
59.5

1
1+2 4

8
( 24.04
)

= 6498.17 mPa.s

11

3. Calculate the percentage difference between calculated value and the value quoted in the
literature.
percentage difference=

experiment valuetheory value

100
theory value

Experiment value = 6498.17 mPa.s

Value in literature= 9420 mPa.s

6498.179420
100
9420
= -31.02%
= 31.02%

4. Calculate the viscosity of the glycerine according to Equation 9

K ( 12 ) t (mPa . s)
= 33.82 (8.036 1.260) 3.617
= 828.89 mPa.s

12

5. Calculate the percentage difference between value calculated in Analysis (4) and the value
obtained from literature.
percentage difference=

experiment valuetheory value

100
theory value

Experiment value : 828.89 mPa.s

Value in literature : 9420 mPa.s

828.899420
100
9420

= -91.21%
= 91.21%
6. Compare the result obtained in Part A with the result obtained in Part B.
The value of viscosity in experiment part A is 6498.17 mPa.s and it is higher than

the value of viscosity in experiment part B that is 828.89 mPa.s.

The percentage difference of experiment part A is 31.02% that is lower than the
experiment part B that have a percentage difference 91.21%.

When compare or state the result with the value taken from the literature, the temperature of the
fluid must be quoted. Why ?
-It is to make sure the temperature uniformity.

13

DISCUSSION
PART A
The experiment went as expected with no unusual events. For this Viscosity of Viscous
Fluids experiments, the theory state that the magnitude of frictional force of a body moving in a
fluids depends on the geometry of the body, its velocity and internal friction of the fluid. A
measure for the internal friction is given by the dynamic viscosity, . Therefore, viscosity can be
determined from the distance, time of fall, gravity, density of the sphere and the viscous fluids,
besides the radius of the guinea-and-feather apparatus and the sphere since the sphere move
along the axis of a fluid cylinder of radius.
The diameter of the steel ball, d, diameter of the guinea-and-feather apparatus, D, density
of the steel ball, 1, density of the glycerine, 2, and the distance of fall, s was measured and
recorded in the Data Sheet. Also included in the data sheet is the time of fall, s and its average
value. All information that has been filled in the data sheet leads to the value of the viscosity. The
value of viscosity can be determined by using the Equation 8.
The value of the viscosity from the experiment is lower than the theoretical value that
quoted in literature. In order to obtain how accurate this experiment was carried out, the
percentage difference must be calculated. The calculation revealed this experiment has a high
percentage difference. Several errors could explain the difference. Error in reaction time, as the
stopwatch is a very sensitive instrument, the fact that the reaction time in starting and stopping
the stopwatch varies from person to person. The other error that may occur is parallax error, due
to the incorrect positioning of the eye during read the scale in metre rule. Other than that, zero
error may also occur in vernier calipers that have been used to measure the diameter of the steel
ball and the diameter of the guinea-and-feather apparatus.

14

There are many ways to overcome this problem that I can use in order to obtain more
accurate result thus reduce the difference. To overcome the reaction time errors, two or three
times reading should be taken and the average time computed. The way to overcome the parallax
error is make sure the eye look perpendicularly on the metre rule scale while the reading is being
taken. To settle the zero error that may occur in vernier calipers, all the reading taken using this
vernier calipers have to be compensated accordingly.

15

CONCLUSION
PART A
Overall, the experiment succeeded in showing the viscosity of glycerine (a viscous fluid)
can be determined by using guinea-and-feather apparatus. Difference existed in calculation that
showed at the analysis part. The percentage difference is 31.02%. These differences, however,
can be accounted for by experimental error.

16

THE VISCOUSITY
OF VISCOUS
FLUIDS
(PART B)

17

INTRODUCTION
The aim of the experiment is to determine the viscosity of glycerine (a viscous fluids) by
using guinea-and-feather apparatus and to determine the viscosity of the glycerine by using
Hoeppler Method.
The theory state that a body that moving in a fluid is acted on by a frictional force in the
opposite direction of its velocity. The magnitude of this force depends on the geometry of the
body, its velocity, and the internal friction of the fluids. A measure for the internal friction is
given by the dynamic viscosity, . For a sphere of radius, r moving at velocity, v in an infinitely
extended fluid of dynamic viscosity, . G. G. Stokes derived the frictional force,
F1 = 6 . . v . r

-------------------- (1)

If the sphere falls down vertically in the fluid, it will move at a constant velocity v after a
certain time, and there will be an equilibrium between all forces acting on the sphere: the
frictional force F1, which acts upward, the buoyancy force,

F 1=

4 3
. r . 2 . g
3

-------------------- (2)

which acts upward too, and the downward acting gravitational force,

F 1=

4 3
. r . 1 . g
3

-------------------- (3)

where,

1 : density of the sphere

2 : density of the fluid
g : acceleration of free fall
18

19

This forces fulfil the

relation :

F1 + F2 = F3
-------------------

- (4)

The viscosity can,

therefore be

determined by

measuring the

rate of fall, v.

1 2
g

2 2
r
9
-------------------- (5)
Where, v is to be determined from the distance, s and the time, t of fall. The viscosity then
2 2 ( 1 2 ) g t
= r
9
s

-------------------- (6)

In practice, Equation (1) has to be corrected since the assumption of an infinitely extended fluid
is unrealistic and the velocity distribution of the fluid particles with respect to the surface of the
sphere is influenced by the finite dimensions of the fluid. For the movement of the sphere along
the axis of a cylinder of radius, R and infinite length, for example, the frictional force is

F1=6 v 1+ 2 4

r
R

-------------------- (7)

Equation (6) thus is changed into

20

( 1 2 ) g t
2
r 2

9
s

1
1+2 4

( Rr )

-------------------- (8)

If the infinite length, L of the fluid cylinder is taken into account, there are further corrections of
the order r/L.
The dynamic viscosity according to Hoeppler Method using HAAKE Falling-ball viscometer is
in accordance with the following equation
K ( 12 ) t (mPa . s)

-------------------- (9)

where,
K=
1 =
2 =
t=

ball constant in mPa.s cm3 / g . s

density of the ball in g cm-3
density of the viscous fluid in g cm-3
falling time of the ball in seconds.

21

APPARATUS
PART B

HAAKE Falling-ball viscometer

Counter P

22

SETUP AND PROCEDURE

1. Description of the HAAKE falling Ball Viscometer :
The main component of the Falling Ball Viscometer is a cylindrical measuring tube (1)
and spherical ball (2). The measuring tube is positioned slightly inclined about 10 to the
vertical position and is surrounded by outer glass tube which can be filled with
temperature controlled liquid (3).
The assemblies is pivoted and can be turned up-side down as shown in Figure 3.

In this experiment, the measuring tube has been filled with glycerine (sample to be
tested). The liquid should reach level just beyond the capillary of the stopper. This
capillary is a passage for air bubble to escape to the reservoir and prevent undesireable
change of pressure in the measuring tape.
2. The tube turn upside down at least once for the ball run through up and down in order to
improve the homogeneity of the sample and its temperature uniformity.
3. The ball returned to the initial position at the top mark of the measuring tube. The time of
fall between the top mark (A) to the bottom mark (B) of the measuring tube is measured.

23

4. Step 3 repeated, at least five times and the times of fall recorded. The average value of
measuring results was determined.

24

DATA
PART B
Diameter of the steel ball, d = 1.100 0.001cm
Density of steel ball, 1 = 8.036g.cm-3
The steel ball constant, K = 33.82 mPa.s.cm-3.g-1.s-1
Density of the glycerine, 2 = 1.260g.cm-3
Times of
fall

Average :
3.684

3.684

3.661

3.645

3.410

3.617

t = 0.001s

25

ANALYSIS
1. From the measuring results, calculate the average value for times of fall of the ball in
glycerine.
2. Calculate the viscosity of the fluids according to the equation 8.
3. Calculate the percentage difference between calculated value and the value quoted in the
literature.
4. Calculate the viscosity of the glycerine according to equation 9
5. Calculate the percentage difference between value calculated in Analysis (4) and the
value obtained from the literature.
6. Compare the result obtained in part A with the result obtained in part B
.

26

Note that, when compare or state the result with the value taken from the literature, the

temperature of the fluid must be quoted. Why ?

ANALYSIS

ANSWER

1.

From the measuring results, calculate the average value for times to fall of the ball

in the glycerine.
average value=

reading 1+ reading2 +reading3 +reading 4 +reading 5

thenumber of readings

PART A

1.497+ 1.709+ 1.618+1.589+1.592

5

= 1.601s
PART B

3.684 +3.684+3.661+3.645+3.410
5

= 3.617s
1

Calculate the viscosity of the fluid according to the equation 8.

( 1 2 ) g t
2
r 2

9
s

1
1+2 4

( Rr )

( 7599.071260.00 ) ( 9.81 ) (1.601)

2
8 2

9
59.5

1
1+2 4

8
( 24.04
)

= 6498.17 mPa.s
27

28

Calculate the percentage difference between calculated value and the value quoted in the
literature.
percentage difference=

experiment valuetheory value

100
theory value

Experiment value = 6498.17 mPa.s

Value in literature= 9420 mPa.s

6498.179420
100
9420
= -31.02%
= 31.02%

Calculate the viscosity of the glycerine according to Equation 9

K ( 12 ) t (mPa . s)
= 33.82 (8.036 1.260) 3.617
= 828.89 mPa.s

29

Calculate the percentage difference between value calculated in Analysis (4) and the value
obtained from literature.
percentage difference=

experiment valuetheory value

100
theory value

Experiment value : 828.89 mPa.s

Value in literature : 9420 mPa.s

828.899420
100
9420

= -91.21%
= 91.21%
5

Compare the result obtained in Part A with the result obtained in Part B.
The value of viscosity in experiment part A is 6498.17 mPa.s and it is higher than

the value of viscosity in experiment part B that is 828.89 mPa.s.

The percentage difference of experiment part A is 31.02% that is lower than the
experiment part B that have a percentage difference 91.21%.

When compare or state the result with the value taken from the literature, the temperature of the
fluid must be quoted. Why ?
-It is to make sure the temperature uniformity.

30

DISCUSSION
PART B
Based on Hoeppler Method, to determine the dynamic viscosity using HAAKE Fallingball viscometer is in accordance with the Equation 9 that has been state at the introduction.
According to the Equation 9, the viscosity of fluids can be determined from the viscometer ball
constant, K, density of the ball and viscous fluid with the value of falling time of the ball that has
been recorded. The value for the viscometer constant, K has been given.
All the information and data that has been taken is recorded in the data sheet. All
information that has been filled in the data sheet leads to the value of the viscosity. As I have
state that to determine the viscosity using HAAKE Falling-ball viscometer is in accordance to
Equation 8. The value of the viscosity from the experiment is too lower than the theoretical value
that quoted in literature. In order to obtain how accurate this experiment was carried out, the
percentage difference must be calculated. The calculation revealed this experiment has a very
high percentage difference.
There are several errors that could explain the difference. Systematic error such as zero
error may occur in vernier calipers that have been used to measure the diameter of the steel ball.
Error in the operation of viscometer equipment, as the HAAKE Falling-ball viscometer needs to
turn by 180, upside down. The temperature in the HAAKE Falling-ball viscometer that not in
uniformity state also can cause error during carried out this experiment.
There are many solutions to cope with the error. Before used the vernier calipers, the jaws
must be closed with nothing between them to check the presence of zero error. If there is zero
error, the vernier calipers need to compensate accordingly. In order to compensate for the error,
all readings taken with this vernier calipers should be adjusted by deducting or adding the value
of zero error with the actual reading. Error in operating the viscometer equipment can be reduced
by taking several readings of the same quantity and same angle of turns thus subsequently
obtaining the average value. To make sure the uniformity of the temperature of the viscometer,
the tube needs to be turn upside down at least once for the spherical ball run through up and
down.
31

CONCLUSION
PART B
Overall, the experiment succeeded in showing the viscosity of the glycerine can be
determined by using Hoeppler Method. Difference existed in calculation that showed at the
analysis part. The percentage difference is 91.21%. These differences, however, can be
accounted for by experimental error.

32

REFERENCES
1. Makmal Fizik (2011). Buku Eksperimen Amali Fizik I. University of Tun Hussein Onn
Malaysia: Penerbit UTHM.
2. Daniel Joseph, Toshio Funada, Jing Wang (2007). Potential flows of viscous and
viscoelastic fluids Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
3. Amer Nordin Darus (1989). Aliran bendalir likat Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan
Pustaka.
4. http://www.dow.com/glycerine/resources/table18.htm access date 23 August 2011
5. http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_0032/0901b803800322bd
.pdf?filepath=glycerine/pdfs/noreg/115-00678.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc access date 24
August 2011

33