DETERMINATION OF ABSOLUTE VISCOSITY USING OSTWALD VISCOMETER

A Research Study Presented to the

Faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Engineering and Architecture

Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

Ch E 414L Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

By

John Mark Begseng

Jeof Erimson Onoza

Rochelle Anne Bayang

Charisma Cabaog

Charlene Dela Cruz

Eunice Estrella

Cherry Mae A. Grace

September 2017

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

i
 The road to achievement within this study is paved with the assistance and efforts of

many who in one way or another contributed during the process. Without these individuals

this would never have been possible.

The researchers would like to thank our laboratory instructors, Engr. Mila Rose dela

Rosa and Engr. Kate Gabon. Their knowledge and feedback were invaluable to us. This study

would not achieve efficiency without them.

A special thanks is given to the laboratory technicians for dedicating their time and

guidance during the conduct of the study. The researchers were fortunate to have you.

And above all, a heart-warming gratitude is given to Our Almighty Father for His safety

and protection all throughout the study.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ii
TITLE PAGE i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS iii

LIST OF TABLES iv

LIST OF FIGURES v

ABSTRACT vi

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1

Chapter 2: DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 5

Chapter 3: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 7

Chapter 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 8

REFERENCES 9

APPENDICES

Appendix A: List and Uses of Apparatus 10

Appendix B: Definition of Terms 12

Appendix C: Computations 13

Appendix D: Problems 14

Appendix E: Photo Documentation 17

Appendix F: Material Safety Data Sheet 19

LIST OF TABLES

Table No. 1 Mean time, s 7

iii
Table No. 2 Mean Density, (g/mL) 7

Table No. 3 Mean Viscosity, Pa.s 7

LIST OF FIGURES

iv
 ABSTRACT

Viscosity is the property of a fluid to resist flow. It is the ratio of tangential frictional

force per unit area to the velocity gradient perpendicular to the direction of flow of a liquid.

v
Ostwald viscometers can be used to establish the viscometers of liquids. The liquid is added

to the viscometer, pulled into the upper reservoir by suction, and then allowed to drain by

gravity back into the lower reservoir. The time that it takes for the liquid to pass between two

etched marks is measured. The method of determining viscosity with this instrument consists

of measuring the time for a known volume of the liquid to flow through the capillary under

the influence of gravity. A Westphal balance was used in order to determine the densities of

liquids

Water is used as a reference liquid since it is established that it viscosity is 9.3293 x

10-4 Pa.s. The study resulted in benzene to have a viscosity of 6.5450 x 10-4 Pa.s. The

researchers established chloroform to have a viscosity of 5.9285 x 10 -4 Pa.s. Methanol had an

experimental viscosity of 6.3241 x 10-4 Pa.s, while the unknown liquid had a viscosity of

3.2811 x 10-4 Pa.s.

vi