ME 3350 Fall 16 handout 1.

VISCOSITY DEPENDENCE ON PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE

In general, is a very weak function of pressure, but a reasonable function of temperature:

d
In liquids: 0
dT

d
In gases: 0
dT

Explanations:
In liquids, molecules are close together and are bound by strong cohesive forces. Heat
produces more energetic motion which decreases cohesive forces and, in turn, viscosity.
In gases, molecules are further apart. Heat produces more motion and collisions which
make molecules interact with one another and increase cohesive forces.