Experiment No.

4
Fall Velocity of Sphere
Objective:
The activity aims to determine the viscosity of the fluid by measuring the fall velocity of the sphere
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1. Use the techniques and skills in fluid mechanics to determine the viscosity of fluid using fall velocity
measurement
2. Apply the techniques and skills acquired relevant to professional engineering practice.
Discussion:

The Falling Sphere Viscometer

One of the properties of homogeneous liquids is their resistance to motion. A measure of this resistance is
known as viscosity. It can be measured in different, standardized methods or test. In this experiment, viscosity will
be measured with a falling sphere viscometer.

When an object falls through a fluid medium, the object reaches a constant final speed or terminal velocity.
If this terminal velocity is sufficiently low, then the various forces acting on the object can be described with exact
expressions. The forces acting on a sphere, for example, that is falling at terminal velocity through a liquid are:

Weight – Buoyancy – Drag = 0

4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0 (4.1)
3 3

Where 𝜌𝑠 and 𝜌 are density of the sphere and liquid respectively, V is the sphere’s terminal velocity, R is
the radius of the sphere and µ is the viscosity of the liquid. In solving the preceding equation, the viscosity of the
liquid can be determined. The above expression for drag is valid only if the following equation is valid:

𝜌𝑉𝐷
<1 (4.2)
µ

Where D is the sphere diameter. Once the viscosity of the liquid is found, the above ratio should be
calculated to be certain in that mathematical model gives an accurate description
Resources/Instruments Required:

 Graduated cylinder
 Scale
 Stopwatch
 Several small spheres with weight and diameter to be measured
 Test liquid
 Caliper
 Ruler

Procedure:

1. Fill the graduated cylinder with fluid up to about 3 cm below the rim of the tube. Drop a sphere into the
cylinder liquid record the time it takes for the sphere to fall a certain measured distance. The distance
divided by the measured time gives the terminal velocity of the sphere.
2. Repeat the measurement and average the results. With the terminal velocity of this and of other spheres
measured and known, the absolute and kinematics viscosity of the liquid can be calculated.

Figure1: Terminal velocity measurement (V = d/time)

3. The temperature of the test liquid should also be recorded. Use at least three different spheres.
Data and Results:

(Oil)

Sphere Diameter Distance

Trial Time (s) Weight (kg) μ (Pa-s) Ѵ (m2/s)
(m) (m)
1 0.01515 0.213 0.48 0.014 1.917 2.16x10-3
2 0.02010 0.208 0.24 0.036 1.925 2.17x10-3
3 0.02525 0.203 0.15 0.073 1.996 2.25x10-3

(Diesel)

Sphere Diameter Distance

Trial Time (s) Weight (kg) μ (Pa-s) Ѵ (m2/s)
(m) (m)
1 0.01515 0.213 0.44 0.014 1.773 2.14x10-3
2 0.02010 0.208 0.22 0.036 1.737 2.1x10-3
3 0.02525 0.203 0.14 0.073 1.789 2.16x10-3

(Kerosene)

Sphere Diameter Distance

Trial Time (s) Weight (kg) μ (Pa-s) Ѵ (m2/s)
(m) (m)
1 0.01515 0.213 0.38 0.014 1.543 2x10-3
2 0.02010 0.208 0.19 0.036 1.547 2x10-3
3 0.02525 0.203 0.11 0.073 1.485 1.92x10-3

Computation:

OIL
Solution:

Trial 1

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 3 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.01515 3 0.213𝑚
(0.014𝑘𝑔)( 2
) − (0.888)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.01515𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.48𝑠

µ = 1.917 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙 )𝜌𝑤

1.917 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.888)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2.16 × 10−3
𝑠

Trial 2:

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 3 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.02010 3 0.208𝑚
(0.036𝑘𝑔)( 2 ) − (0.888)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.02010𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.24𝑠

µ = 1.917 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠

Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙 )𝜌𝑤

1.917 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.888)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2.17 × 10−3
𝑠

Trial 3:

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 3 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.02525 3 0.203𝑚
(0.073𝑘𝑔)( 2 ) − (0.888)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.02525𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.15𝑠

µ = 1.996 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑜𝑖𝑙 )𝜌𝑤

1.917 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.888)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2.25 × 10−3
𝑠

DIESEL
Solution:

Trial 1

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 3 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.01515 3 0.213𝑚
(0.014𝑘𝑔)( ) − (0.828)(9.8066 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.01515𝑚) = 0
𝑠2 𝑚3 3 2 0.44𝑠

µ = 1.773 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠

Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 )𝜌𝑤

1.773 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.828)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2.14 × 10−3
𝑠

Trial 2:

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 3 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
 9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.02010 3 0.208𝑚
(0.036𝑘𝑔)( 2
) − (0.828)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.02010𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.22𝑠

µ = 1.737 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠

Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 )𝜌𝑤

1.737 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.828)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2.1 × 10−3
𝑠

Trial 3:

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 3 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.02525 3 0.213𝑚
(0.073𝑘𝑔)( 2 ) − (0.828)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.02525𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.14𝑠

µ = 1.789 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠

Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 )𝜌𝑤

1.789 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.828)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2.16 × 10−3
𝑠
 KEROSENE
Solution:

Trial 1

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 3 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.01515 3 0.213𝑚
(0.014𝑘𝑔)( ) − (0.773)(9.8066 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.01515𝑚) = 0
𝑠2 𝑚3 3 2 0.38𝑠

µ = 1.543 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠

Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 )𝜌𝑤

1.543 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.773)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2 × 10−3
𝑠

Trial 2:

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 3 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.02010 3 0.208𝑚
(0.036𝑘𝑔)( 2 ) − (0.773)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.02010𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.19𝑠

µ = 1.547 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 )𝜌𝑤

1.547 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.773)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 2 × 10−3
𝑠

Trial 3:

Dynamic Viscosity
4 4
𝜌𝑠 𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 𝜌𝘨 𝜋𝑅 3 − 6𝜋µ𝑉𝑅 = 0
3 3
4 𝑑
𝑚𝑔 − (𝑆𝐺𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝛾𝑤 )( 𝜋𝑅 3 ) − 6𝜋µ( )𝑅 = 0
3 𝑡
9.81𝑚 𝑁 4 0.02525 3 0.203𝑚
(0.073𝑘𝑔)( 2 ) − (0.773)(9.8066 3 ( 𝜋( 𝑚) ) − 6𝜋µ( )(0.02525𝑚) = 0
𝑠 𝑚 3 2 0.11𝑠

µ = 1.485𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠

Kinematic Viscosity
µ
𝒱=
(𝑆𝐺𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 )𝜌𝑤

1.485 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝒱= 𝑁
(0.773𝑃)(9.8066 )
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝒱 = 1.92 × 10−3
𝑠
Documentation:

Figure 2: Group members that were present in the experiment. Figure 3: Materials used in the experiment.

Figure 4: Liquids used in the experiment. Figure 5: Pouring of the diesel in the graduated cylinder.

Figure 6: Pouring the oil in the graduated cylinder. Figure 7: Pouring the kerosene in the graduated cylinder.
Figure 8: Measuring the diameter of the sphere
using vernier calliper. Figure 9: Dropping the sphere in the oil.

Figure 10: Measuring the height of the liquid. Figure 11: Dropping the sphere in the diesel.

Figure 13: Dropping the sphere in kerosene. Figure 14: Recording the time of the ball drop in
the liquid.
Observation:

As the students conducted the experiment, they observed that as they drop the spheres with different weight

onto the three different liquids (oil, diesel and kerosene), there is a variation of the time travelled of the spheres to

reach the bottom of the graduated cylinder. The students made three trials in each liquid and calculated the average

time so that they will gather the data accurately. Upon observing the spheres, the students noticed that heaviest

sphere (0.073 kg) went down slower in the bottom of the graduated cylinder, containing different liquids than the

lighter one, this resulted to have highest velocity among the three different spheres. Moreover, there were some

errors experienced in this experiment, the timer was not stop immediately when the sphere is release in the liquids.

Conclusion:

After conducting the experiment, the students were able to conclude that, viscosity of a certain fluid can be

obtained by measuring the fall velocity of the spheres. The gathered data showed that the diameter of the sphere

affects its speed while flowing downward to different set of liquid. It has been acquired that velocity is directly

proportional to the diameter of the steel ball. With the help of the gathered data given by this experiment, the

students were able to conclude that a fluid with higher viscosity will slower speed or velocity of the sphere and the

liquid with low viscosity will have greater velocity.