1.

5 Viscosity

Viscosity in a much simpler way is how thick(lapot) or thin(labnaw) a fluid is. Honey has a higher
viscosity compared to water.

Dynamic or Absolute Viscosity

Referring to Figure below, consider two large, parallel plates a small distance "y" apart, the space
between the plates being filled with fluid.

To keep the upper plate moving at a constant velocity "U", it is found that a constant force "F" must
be applied. Thus there must exist a viscous interaction between plate and fluid, manifested as a drag
on the former and a shear force on the latter.

The fluid in contact with the upper plate will adhere to it and will move at velocity "U", and the fluid in
contact with the fixed plate will have velocity zero. If distance "y" and velocity "U" are not too great,
the velocity profile will be a straight line.
In the late 19th century, Isaac Newton proposed that the shear stress ( ) in the fluid is directly
proportional to the shear strain rate or velocity gradient ( ). This is often called as Newton's Law of
Viscosity, and it can be written as:

(Shear Stress) (Velocity Gradient)

but from the figure (by similar triangle) ,

thus, or

where the constant of proportionality "k" is called as dynamic or absolute viscosity, denoted as
(mu).

or

, (this is what we will be using commonly)

where:

= shear stress in lb/ft2 or Pa

= absolute or dynamic viscosity in lb-sec/ft2 (poise) or Pa-sec

y = distance between the plates in ft or m

U = velocity in ft/s or m/s (We use U instead of V, because V is already used in our first
discussion for volume)
Kinematic Viscosity
It is the ratio of the dynamic viscosity of the of the fluid ( ), to its mass density ( ).

This is denoted by , (nu).

, [ ft2/s (stoke) or m2/s ]

Note:

1 poise = 0.1 Pa-sec

1 stoke = 0.0001 m2/s

Example problems:
1.) Using the figure below. If the fluid is glycerin at 20oC ( = 1.5 Pa-sec) and the width between
plates is 6 mm, what shear stress (in Pa) is required to move the upper plate at 5.5 m/s?

Solution:

= ???

= 1.5 Pa-sec

U = 5.5 m/s

y =6 mm = 0.006 m

Using the formula:

Supplemental Video Discussion: Viscosity
(https://youtu.be/QJ4M9F-FN5M)
Sample Problem Videos:
#1 Viscosity Problem (https://youtu.be/043FGVYUqh4)

#2 Viscosity Problem (https://youtu.be/83sVlECRvKw)

#3Viscosity Problem (https://youtu.be/x60PWTPyyr4)