Viscosity describes how a liquid resists the laminar movement of two

neighboring layers. This resistance to flow can be seen with gases, liquids and
even solids.

Stoke's law:
In laminar flow, a ball with radius R moving through a liquid with viscosity
has a speed proportional to the frictional force.
Fr = 3 d v

Or:

where:

Fd is the frictional force acting on the interface between the fluid and the
particle (in N),

is the fluid's viscosity (in [kg m-1 s-1]),

R is the radius of the spherical object (in m), and

v is the particle's velocity (in m/s).

Intrinsic viscosity

The intrinsic viscosity can be extrapolated by measuring several polymer

solutions with different concentrations. It corresponds to the viscosity of a
solution at concentration c=0. From this result, the molecular weight average
of a polymer can be determined using the Mark Houwink equation.
The MarkHouwink equation gives a relation between intrinsic viscosity [] and
molecular weight M:

[] = KMa
Viscosity can be readily followed using an

 Ostwald viscometer (Fig1).

Falling ball viscometer (Fig2).
Ostwald viscometer: This, essentially, consists of a capillary tube down which
a known volume of protein solution is allowed to flow under gravity. The time
taken for this flow is measured (t1 and also that of the solvent (t0); the relative
viscosity is then given by:
Relative viscosity: rel =1/0 = ( t1/t0 ) X ( 1/0)
Where 1 is the viscosity of the protein solution of density 1 and 0 the
viscosity of the solvent of density 0. If the densities are taken to be the same
then the expression = ( t1/t0 )

Falling ball viscometer 2

Figure 1:Ostwald viscometer

Figure 2: Digital Falling ball viscometer (Brookfield)

Ostwald Viscometer

Two markers to measure the time during

this period

Photed by Demonstrator Nouf alshareef

Add certain volume of liquid

Add certain volume of liquid

(Measure the time as the liquid

passes through this length)
Capillary tube

Photed by Demonstrator Nouf alshareef

MATERIALS
1. Ostwald viscometer
2. Falling ball viscometer
3. Water bath at 20C
4. Glucose 1,3,5,7g%
5. Dextran 1,3,5,7g%
6. Glycerine
7. Stop watch accurate to at least 0.1 s
250 ml

METHOD
Viscosity is very sensitive to temperature, so all solutions and the
viscometer must be kept at 30C in the water bath.
Always handle the viscometer by one limb only and never squeeze the
two arms together.
1. Rinse the viscometer with water and place it in position in water
bath by carefully clamping one limb. Check that it is vertical using
a plumb line
2. Introduce exactly 20 ml (or the volume marked on the viscometer)
of water at 20C into the bulb A with a syringe or pipette.
3. Leave for 5 min to equilibrate, then either apply positive pressure
to the wide limb (I) or gentle suction to the other limb (II) until the
meniscus rises above the upper graduation mark B.
4. Release the pressure and measure the time (to the nearest 0.1 s) for
the liquid to flow between the two graduation marks B and C.
Repeat the experiment until the flow times agree within 0.2 s
5. Calculate the average flow time: (t0), solvent, and then with the
glucose dissolved in the water (t1).
6. Calculate the relative viscosities (t1/t0 ) using the values from the
curves.
7. Draw standard curve of relative viscosities (t1/t0 ) vs. con g%
8. Calculate intrinsic viscosity (intercept with y access).
References:
D.T.Plummer, An introduction to Practical. Bioc. MC Grow Hill
http:/ www./canadawide.ca/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stokes_sphere.svg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark%E2%80%93Houwink_equation

Name

Computer no.

Group

date
/

Substance

T1

T0

Rel. viscosity