Fluid Mechanics [21AE33

An Introduction to Dynamic vs. Kinematic Viscosity

Key Takeaways
 No two fluids can have the same kinematic viscosity, but they can have the same
dynamic viscosity.
 When external forces are applied to a fluid, dynamic viscosity measurements are
the best choice. 
 Whenever a fluid is not subjected to physical forces other than gravitational force,
kinematic viscosity is the right measurement. 
 In fluids, the resistance to flow or to deform is known as viscosity. Fluids differ in the
internal resistance that is exerted, causing differences in viscosity as well. The
viscosity of fluids can be expressed in terms of either dynamic viscosity or kinematic
viscosity. To distinguish dynamic viscosity vs. kinematic viscosity, it is important to
note that no two fluids can have the same kinematic viscosity, but they can have the
same dynamic viscosity. In this article, we will compare the dynamic vs. kinematic
viscosity of fluids. 
Dynamic vs. Kinematic Viscosity  
The absolute or dynamic viscosity is the ratio of shear stress to shear strain. The dynamic
viscosity divided by the density of the fluid gives kinematic viscosity. The dynamic viscosity
measures the resistance offered by the fluid to the flow when an external force is applied.

When the resistance to flow is measured under the weight of gravity, then the viscosity is
called kinematic viscosity. The kinematic viscosity gives the inherent resistance of the fluid
to flow when there is no external force applied to it except gravity. 

The dynamic viscosity of two different fluids can be the same. However, there is no way
that the kinematic viscosity of two different fluids can be the same due to the differences in
their density. The table above compares the properties of dynamic viscosity vs. kinematic
viscosity. 

The Dynamic and Kinematic Viscosity of Water 

There are several engineering properties for water, including thermal expansion, isothermal
compression, thermal conductivity, specific heat, specific entropy, specific enthalpy,
saturation vapor pressure, dynamic viscosity, and kinematic viscosity. The viscosity of liquid
water decreases with an increase in temperature. The table below compares the dynamic
viscosity and kinematic viscosity of liquid water from 0℃ to its normal boiling point.
Viscosity is defined as the elemental property while studying the flow of liquid for any
application. The two basic types of viscosity are kinematic and dynamic. The association
between these two properties is quite simple. It seems like a simple concept at first glance.
But in reality, there are numerous terms that come under the definition of it. These terms
determine the measurement of it.
 
Dynamic viscosity, which is also known as absolute viscosity, evaluates the internal
resistance of a fluid to flow; in contrast, kinematic one describes the ratio of dynamic
viscosity to density. Two fluids with the same value of dynamic thicknesses can have a
different value of kinematic densities based on density and vice versa. However, to have a
broader knowledge regarding the difference between kinematic and dynamic viscosity.
 Main Differences Between Kinematic and Dynamic Viscosity

1. Both of them represent different things. Kinematic viscosity is used for the
representation of both inertia and viscous force, whereas the representation of the
viscous force of the fluid with the help of dynamic viscosity is taken.
2. As mentioned above, both of them represent different things, and hence, they are
also represented by different symbols. For Kinematic viscosity, the symbol is used in
‘v’ while fore dynamic viscosity ‘μ’ for representation.
3. The ratio used in the case of Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of dynamic viscosity to
density, while for dynamic viscosity, the ratio used is the ratio of shear stress to
shear strain. This also implies that dynamic viscosity is a must for the calculation of
the kinematic viscosity.
4. In terms of dependency of density, both of them differ, as in the case of kinematic
viscosity, it is dependent, whereas it is not dependent in the case of dynamic
viscosity.
5. Both of them are also called or known by other terms. Diffusivity of the momentum
is another term for kinematic viscosity. Absolute viscosity is another term for
dynamic viscosity.
6. Both of these are used in different situations for kinematic viscosity. It is used when
both inertia and viscosity force is dominant, whereas when only viscosity force is
dominant dynamic viscosity is used.
7. Lastly, they differ in terms of their units; kinematic viscosity = m2/s, whereas the
unit of dynamic viscosity = Ns/m2.

Why does the viscosity of a gas increase with the increase in temperature while
that of a liquid decrease with the increase in temperature?

Why viscosity of liquids decreases with increase in temperature?

When a liquid is heated, the kinetic energy of its molecules increases and the
intermolecular attraction becomes weaker. Hence, the viscosity of a liquid decreases with
increase in its temperature. The more viscous the fluid, the more sensitive it is to the
temperature change.
How does viscosity of gases vary with temperature?
Variation of gas viscosity with temperature How does viscosity of gases vary with
temperature? The viscosity of gases is, in general, increasing with temperature. The
additional movement of the gas molecules is actually causing more contact, thus interaction
in between molecules leading to an increase in viscosity. [Due to the increase of
collisions resistance between the flows of different layers also increases i.e.,
viscosity also increases.]
When a gas is heated its viscosity will?
In other words, increasing gas temperature causes the gas molecules to collide more often.
This increases the gas viscosity because the transfer of momentum between stationary and
moving molecules is what causes gas viscosity.
Does viscosity change with pressure?
For most liquids, viscosity increases with increasing pressure because the amount of free
volume in the internal structure decreases due to compression. Consequently, the
molecules can move less freely and the internal friction forces increase.
Ideal fluid is basically defined as a fluid which will be incompressible and in which
viscosity will be zero. 
If we talk practically, there will be no existence of ideal fluid and therefore ideal fluid is an
imaginary fluid only.
Real Fluid
Real fluid is basically defined as a fluid which will be incompressible and in which viscosity
will not be zero. There will be viscosity in such fluids.
Example:
Water, Kerosene, Petrol, Air
Newtonian fluid
Newtonian fluid is basically defined as a fluid in which shear stress will be directly
proportional with the velocity gradient.
We can also say that a fluid which follows the Newton’s law of viscosity will be termed as
Newtonian fluid.
Example: Water, Air, Benzine etc
Non- Newtonian fluid
Non- Newtonian fluid is basically defined as a fluid in which shear stress will not be directly
proportional with the rate of shear strain or velocity gradient.
We can also say that a fluid which does not follow the Newton’s law of viscosity will be
termed as non-Newtonian fluid.
Example:
Plaster, Flubber, Slurries and Pastes etc.
Ideal Plastic fluid
Ideal Plastic fluid is basically defined as a fluid in which shear stress will be more than the
yield value and shear stress will be directly proportional with the rate of shear strain or
velocity gradient.
Incompressible fluid
If density of a fluid will not be changed with change in external pressure or force, then that
fluid will be termed as Incompressible fluid.
Liquids will be considered as incompressible fluid. Therefore, hydraulic accumulators are
used to develop the nature of compressibility in hydraulic systems.
Compressible fluid
If density of a fluid will be changed with change in external pressure or force, then that
fluid will be termed as compressible fluid.
Gases will be considered as compressible fluid.
Ideal fluid: It is a fluid that does not have viscosity and cannot be compressed. This type
of fluid cannot exist practically.
Real fluid: All types of fluids that possess viscosity are classified as real fluids. Examples:
Kerosene and castor oil.
Newtonian fluid: A real fluid that abides by Newton’s law of viscosity is known as a
Newtonian fluid. Example: Hydrogen and water
Non-Newtonian fluid: Fluids that do not abide by Newton’s law of viscosity are known as
Non-Newtonian fluid. Example: Oobleck and flubber
Ideal plastic fluid: If the shear stress is directly proportional to the velocity gradient, and
if the value of shear stress is greater than the resultant, it is referred to as ideal plastic
fluid.
Incompressible fluid: If fluid’s density does not vary on the application of force, it is known
as an incompressible fluid. Example: The stream of water flowing at high speed from a
garden hose pipe.
Compressible fluid: If fluid’s density varies on the application of force, it is called a
compressible fluid. Example: gas, vapour, and steam.
Newtonian Fluids
The fluid whose viscosity remains constant is known as the Newtonian fluid. These fluids
are independent of the amount of shear stress applied to them with respect to time. The
relationship between the viscosity and shear stress of these fluids is linear.
Examples of Newtonian Fluids
 Water
 Alcohol
 Mineral oil
 Gasoline
Non-Newtonian Fluids
The fluid whose viscosity changes when shear stress is applied is known as the Non-
Newtonian fluids. These fluids are the opposite of Newtonian fluids.
Examples of Non-Newtonian Fluids
 Toothpaste
 Ketchup
 Cosmetics
 Paint
The conservation of momentum states that, within some problem domain,
the amount of momentum remains constant; momentum is neither created nor
destroyed, but only changed through the action of forces as described by
Newton's laws of motion.
What is the law of conservation of momentum give an example?

Consider this example of a balloon, the particles of gas move rapidly colliding with each
other and the walls of the balloon, even though the particles themselves move faster and
slower when they lose or gain momentum when they collide, the total momentum of the
system remains the same.
FORCES ACTING ON SUBMERGED BODIES. 
In fluid mechanics problems, it is very important to determine the forces that the fluid
exerts on the body. Engineers usually apply the basics of such forces in order to quantify
the efficiency and aerodynamic performance of the body. 

Before understanding the basics of lift force and drag force, we must understand here the
forces acting on submerged bodies. 
There are basically two cases that we will see here. 
Case 1: Fluid is moving and body is stationary 
If a body is stationary and fluid is moving with a certain velocity, fluid will exert the force
over the stationary submerged body. Force exerted by the moving air over the surface of a
tree could be considered as one example of above case. 
Air is also a fluid and tree is submerged inside the air, now there will be one force which
will be applied over the surface of tree by the moving fluid.  

Case 2: Fluid is stationary and body is moving 

If fluid is stationary and a body is moving with a certain velocity, there will be some force
induced by the fluid on the body because moving body will cut the various layers of the
fluid. 
Swimming through the water could be considered as one example of above case. Forces
acting on submerged bodies will be divided in to drag force and lift force. 
Drag Force  
Force exerted on the body in a direction parallel to the direction of motion when fluid is
moving and body is stationary or body is moving and fluid is stationary. 
In simple we can say that force, which will be applied by the fluid over the body, in the
direction of motion will be termed as drag force. Drag force will be represented by the
symbol FD. 
Drag is basically an undesirable effect and we want to reduce the effect of drag because it
takes power to overcome it. 
But in some cases, drag effect is good and beneficial such as in case of automobile brakes,
parachutes. 

Lift force 
Lift force is basically defined as the force exerted on the body in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of motion when fluid is moving and body is stationary or body is moving
and fluid is stationary. Lift force will be represented by the symbol FL.
All that is necessary to create lift is to turn a flow of air. An airfoil of a wing will turn a flow,
and so will a rotating cylinder. A spinning ball will also turn a flow and create a force.

The Kutta–Joukowski theorem is a fundamental theorem in aerodynamics used for the

calculation of lift of an airfoil (and any two-dimensional body including circular cylinders)
translating in a uniform fluid at a constant speed large enough so that the flow seen in the
body-fixed frame is steady and unseparated. The theorem relates the lift generated by an
airfoil to the speed of the airfoil through the fluid, the density of the fluid and
the circulation around the airfoil. The circulation is defined as the line integral around a
closed loop enclosing the airfoil of the component of the velocity of the fluid tangent to the
loop.[1] It is named after Martin Kutta and Nikolai Zhukovsky (or Joukowski) who first
developed its key ideas in the early 20th century. Kutta–Joukowski theorem is an inviscid
theory, but it is a good approximation for real viscous flow in typical aerodynamic
applications.[2]

Kutta–Joukowski theorem relates lift to circulation much like the Magnus effect relates side
force (called Magnus force) to rotation. [3] However, the circulation here is not induced by
rotation of the airfoil. The fluid flow in the presence of the airfoil can be considered to be
the superposition of a translational flow and a rotating flow. This rotating flow is induced by
the effects of camber, angle of attack and the sharp trailing edge of the airfoil. It should
not be confused with a vortex like a tornado encircling the airfoil. At a large distance from
the airfoil, the rotating flow may be regarded as induced by a line vortex (with the rotating
line perpendicular to the two-dimensional plane). In the derivation of the Kutta–Joukowski
theorem the airfoil is usually mapped onto a circular cylinder. In many textbooks, the
theorem is proved for a circular cylinder and the Joukowski airfoil, but it holds true for
general airfoils.