REPORT LAB 5:

MEASURING THE VISCOSITY OF A LIQUID USING STOKES’S METHOD

Class: CC01 / Group : 5 Lecturer’s comment
Full name:
1) Vũ Chí Tường 2053572
2) ………………………………………......
3) ………………………………………......
4) ………………………………………......
5) ………………………………………......

I. Aims/Purposes

Measure the vicosity of liquid using the Stokes method allow students to be familliarized
of time, distance, volume, and temperature in molecular physics simultaneously
II. Apparatus, Methods, and Procedure
1.Apparatus
MN-971A include:
- Glass tubes 95cm high,carved
- Lubricant with vicosity coefficient
- Steel balls
- Hopper oriented the dropping steel balls
- Small Magnets to get the steel balls out of liquids
- Device to measure the fall time of steel balls
- Two sensors
- Vernier caliper 0-25mm, accuracy 0.01mm
2.Method

Figure 2
Assume there small steel balls with radius r falling vertically with velocity v of the liquid,
the liquid layer on the surfaces of adhesive beads and move along with the same velocity
v. Due to the effect of internal friction, fluid layer will pull other layers lying near it
2
move along. Experiment shows on the distance r from the outside steel balls away, the
3
velocity of the liquid layer decreases from v to 0 (Figure 2). Meanwhile the gradient
velocity with Oz:
dv v−0 3 v
= = (2)
dz 2r 2r
3
According to the formula (1), internal friction between adhesive liquid layers on the outer
surface of the steel balls, (an area S = 4 2 .r , r: radius of steel balls) and the liquid
layers contact with it have value:
dv 3v 2
F ms= ∆ S= 4 π r hay F ms=6 π rv (3)
dz 2r
This formula is called Stokes fomula, it said that internal friction Fms increase
propotional to the velocity v, and just right for the velocity v is not large (as a few m / s)
of steel balls moving in liquid infinitely wide.
The viscosity coefficient  can determine by the Stokes method through the device
MN-971A (Figure 3), which includes a glass tube 2 containing a liquid 3 is kept upright
on the rack 9, two magnet sensors from 4 and 5 are connected to a timer device in the
front of the box 8.
When the steel balls with mass m drop through the hopper than falls in the liquid,
the marble are affected by three forces:
 Gravity P vertically from top to bottom and has value by:
4 3
P=mg= π r ρ1 g (4 )
3
With r is the radius and 1 bulk density of steel balls, g is the gravitational acceleration.
- Acsimet force FA is vertical direction from the bottom up and has value by the weight
of the liquid being occupied by the steel balls:
4
F A= π r 3 ρg(5)
3
The internal friction Force Fc is vertically from the bottom up and have value by:
F C =6 π r (6)
With v is velocity and  is viscosity coefficient of liquid
Under the effect of the forces mentioned above, marble will move with acceleration:
dv
a= following the second Newton laws:
dt
⃗
dv ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
m = P + F A + F C (7)
dt
The acceleration a make the velocity v of steel balls gradually increase,on the other
hand when v increases, internal friction increase. When V reaches the value v 0 the
Acsimet force and internal friction will completely eliminate gravity P, Steel balls will
reach uniform speed motion
 Give eqution (7) is 0 and follow the direction of steel balls motion, we have:
4 3 4 3
π r ρ1 g− π r ρg−6 π r v 0=0
3 3
2
2 ( p1 − p0 ) r g
¿ ( 8)
9 v0
v0 can be determined by measuring the number of time interval movement  of steel
balls that are falling between two straight baseline 4 and 5 separated by a distance L
L
v 0=
τ
Subtitute v 0 in (8) with d is the diameter of the steel balls, we find:
2
1 ( p 1− p ) d gτ
¿ (9)
18 L
In fact,liquid is not infinitely wide,it is contained in a cyclinder with a finite diameter

d. In this case, the vicosity coefficlient of the fluid is calculated using the formula:
2
1 ( p1− p ) d gτ
¿ (10)
18
(
L 1+ 2,4
D
d
)
If you know ρ1 , ρ , g , L , D the vicosity coefficient of the liguid can determine in a
simple way, by measuring the diameter d of steel balls and period τ were between two
selected baseline :
III. Procedure
1. Measure the diameter d of steel balls by Micrometer
1.1 Introducing Micrometer
Micrometer is a measuring instrument with the accurate to 0.01 mm. Its structure
includes: a U-shaped bearing body screw 1 and fixed head 2; Along the screw body 1, a
double ruler with carving 0.50 mm apart division is staggered on both sides of the
horizontal standard line: the top half of the double ruler is integer lines of mm (N = 0, 1,
2 , 3, ... 25 mm), the lower half is semi-integer line (N '= 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 ... mm). Round
ruler 3 is cylinder shape, inside is connected with the fang bolt 4 with precise lace, step
0.5mm, is screwed to the screw body through this exact lace system. When the round
ruler 3 rotate one round, fang bolt 4 will translational 0.5 mm. According to the circular
meter circumference, dividing it equally 50 scale marks, such as rotating the ruler shifts 1
sclae mark versus horizontal baseline, fang bolt 4 will translational a period equal to:
1
∆=0.5 ( mm ) . =0.01mm
50
 ∆ : Accurateness of Micrometer

Accuracy of lace step, flatness and smoothness of the fang bolt head 4 and the
fixed head 2, is the determining factor of precision Panme. To avoid damaging the lace
system, othe Micrometer is added a slidding spindle 5 attached to the tail of the round
ruler 3. When the screw turn out, rolling the round ruler 3, when we turn in, rolling the
sliding spindle 5, until the fang bolt 4 touch the materials that need to measure, induce the
sound crackle.

A small lever grip 6 for fixing the fang bolt 4; when measuring, remember to move
the grip to the right, so that can rolling the round ruler..
Before the test point "0" of Micrometer should be check. Use clean cloth lightly
wipe the head face the fixed head 2 and fang bolt 4 (2 faces are polished like mirrors),
turn slowly spindle 5 until heard the sound crackles. Observe the bar "0" on round ruler 3.
If Micrometer has been adjusted correctly, the bar "0" on the round ruler 3 is coincide
with the standard line in screw body 1. In case the baseline is not coincide, asking the
instructor to adjust, or record the deviation "0" for later additions. If bar "0" is below the
standard, the measurement results must subtract 0,01n (mm) and vice versa
To measure the diameter d of steel balls, put up the steel balls against the fixed
head 2, and then slowly turn the screw head 5 to fang bolt 4 enters into contact with steel
balls until you hear a crackle than stopped, move the grip 6 to the left side to inhibit the
fang bolt 4.
- If the edge of the round ruler is closed to the right size of N of integer line (above the
baseline) of the double ruler, also the standard line is coincides with m in round ruler,
than the diameter of the ball:
d = N + 0,01.m (mm)
- If the edge of the round ruler is closed to the right size of N of semi-integer line (under
the baseline) of the double ruler, also the standard line is coincides with m in round ruler,
than the diameter of the ball:
d = N’ + 0,01.m = N + 0,5 + 0,01.m (mm)
Where N is the integer line (above range) is located adjacent the left of N '.
+ Or: d = 0,5k + 0.01.m (k is the the total number of line that appear on the edges of
roun ruler, do not cout line 0)
1.2 Use Micrometer,perform five times the measurements of diameter d, recorded
in table 1.
2.Measure the time interval τ of steel balls falling in liquids
2.1. Installation and adjustment of balance.
Drive the screws on the bottom of the box 8 (Figure 3) to adjust so that the glass tube 2
containing the liquid is vertical direction. Maintaining the head of the sensor 4 and 5
along the bottom of the tube about 30 centimeters apart.
Plug the power grab of the physical device MN-971A into a power ~ 220V. Press the K
key on the machine: LED lights glow and the digits displayed in the window "TIME" and
"N" on the machine.
2.2 Adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor 4 and 5 of the time measurement device
as follows
- Turn the knob 6 and 7 counter – clockwise on the left position.
- Adjust the sensitivity of the sensor 5 (at the bottom) by turning the knob 7 slowly,
according clockwise to the right until the digits displayed on the window "TIME" began
to change status (from standing turn to jump number or vice versa), then stop, then return
a little to the left (about 1/3- 1/2 of its division). Need to repeat several times to find the
exact location of the knob threshold M (7), in which the counter flip status, to be able to
put it in position close to the left point M, sensitive enough to the ball passing sensor 5,
timer must turn over. This location can verify by tapping the ball into the face of the
sensor 5 wall damage: if the digits displayed on the window "TIME" change status 5
status, the sensor has been adjusted sensitive enough to operate.
Perform the same movement for the knob 6 to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor 4
(above).
Finally click "RESET" to put the digits displayed on the windows are back to 0,
the system is ready to measure. Note that, we can only adjust status threshold flip for a
sensor when the other sensor is located in front of the threshold flip (left point M).
In case not to use the sensor, the measurement device MN-971A can be used as an
electronic stopwatch with an accuracy of 10-3 s, layout buttons on the machine lid.
Meanwhile the adjustment knob (6), (7) turn to the left end.
2.3. Measurement falling time of steel balls
Slight drop steel balls through hopper to fall vertically along the axis of the glass tube
containing the liquid. When the ball goes over the cross section of the sensor 4 or 5, it
would appear an electrical impulse effects start or stop the timer device. Period of steel
balls  falling on the distance L between the two sensors 4 and 5 on the display window
TIME.
Perform this experiment 10 times with the same steel balls chosen. Read and write the
value of  in the display window "TIME" with each measurement in Table 1.
(To the left of the window "TIME" are displayed "N" to track the operation number
of the sensors 4 and 5: each steel balls passing through a sensor, digit displays in the
window "N" is increased by one unit)
Note: If the steel balls goes through the two sensors 4 or 5, that one or both of these
sensors does not work, then we have done from the beginning movements 2-2 more
carefully.
After each measurement, taking steel balls out of the tubing 11 by using a small
magnet (placed in box 10), pressed into the tube magnets 11 at the steel balls position and
move magnets gently to let the steel balls followed, sliding along the body 11 up to the
mouth of this pipe. Wait for lubricant adhesion on steel balls dripping off, than took it out
and placed on a paper sheet.
2.4. Read and record the following data in the table 1
III. Equations
m
Density of steel ball : ρ=
1
π d3
6

Viscosity of liquid:
1 ¿
η= ( ρ−σ ) d 2> ¿
18
(
L 1+2.4
d
D )

IV. Experimental data

A. Small steel balls
Table 1
- Accuracy of micrometer:
0.01 (mm) - Density of steel ball
- Accuracy of chronometer: ρ = 8084.978 ± 214.66 (kg/m3)
0.001(sec) - Density of lubricant oil depended
- Diameter of cylinder: on the room temperature:
D = 35.00 ±0.02 (mm) σ =895 ± 89 (kg/m3)
 - Room temperature: * Distance between two sensors:
T ℃ = 30 ± 1 (℃) L = 0.28 ± 0.001 (m)
d (mm) d (mm) t (sec) t (sec)
1 6.32 0.016 0.695 0,0012
… 6.30 0.004 0.698 0.0018
5 6.28 0.024 0.696 0.0002
6.32 0.016 0.697 0.0008
6.30 0.004 0.695 0.0012
Average 6.304 0.0128 0.6962 0.00104

B. Big steel balls: Similar table as for small steel balls.

Note: Absolute error of d , m, t , L is the total errors induced by instrumental errors
and random errors.
Density of steel ball:
1.06
ρ=
m
=
1000 kg
=8084.978 3
( )
( )
1 3
π d 3 1 ×3.14 × 6.304 m
6 6 1000
∆ ρ ∆ π ∆m ∆d
= + +3
ρ π m d
∆ ρ 0.005 0.02 0.0128
¿> = + +3 × =0.02655
ρ 3.14 1.06 6.304

¿> ∆ ρ=ρ × 0.2655=8084.978 ×0.02655=214.66

( mkg )
3

Viscosity of liquid:
1 ¿
η= ( ρ−σ ) d 2> ¿
18
(
L 1+2.4
d
D )
( )
2
6.304
(8084.978−895) × ×9.81 ×0.6962
1 ¿ 1 1000
¿> η= ( ρ−σ ) d 2> ≤¿ × ≤¿ η=0.27 ¿
18
(
L 1+2.4
d
D ) 18
0.28 ×(1+2.4 ×
6.304
35
)

Δ η Δ ρ+ Δσ Δ g Δt Δ L
η
=
ρ−σ
+
g
+ +
t
+
1
L D+2.4 d
( 2 D+2.4 d )
Δd
d
+2.4 d
ΔD
D [ ]
¿>
Δη
=
214.66+ 89
+
0.005 0.00104 0.001
+ + +
1
η 8084.978−895 3.14 0.6962 0.28 0.035+2.4 ×(0.00 6304) (
× ( 2 ×0.035+ 2.4 ×0.00 6304 ) ×
0.0
6.3

Results: The viscosity and its uncertainty for the experiment with the small steel
ball and big steel ball.
Extra work: Using t-Student distribution for calculating the uncertainty

√
n

∑ ∆ η2i
i=1
Δη=± , n=10
n ( n−1 )
The correction with Student coefficient, st for α =0.95 and n=10 has to be done and
the final results should be written as η=η ± ( s t ∆ η ) (kg/ms)