Viscosity

CHM 2207-1 - Physical Chemistry 1 Laboratory

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 Dynamic viscosity
• Resistance of fluid to flow due to internal friction
• Dynamic viscosity, η or μ
𝑑𝑣𝑦
𝐹 = −𝜂𝐴
𝑑𝑥

Viscosity tells us how easy or hard it is for a fluid to flow. This resistance is due to
internal friction. Therefore, to maintain flow of a fluid, force is required. The
Newton’s law describe the relationship between the force required to maintain flow
and the so-called velocity gradient [this is just the variation of velocity of within the
fluid ‘’layers’’]. In general, the velocity is fastest within the fluid and slowest where
the fluid is in contact with a wall (such as of pipe, tube, surface, etc.)

The constant of proportionality in Newton’s Law is viscosity or dynamic viscosity

[multiplied by surface area of fluid].

Fluids that obey the Newton’s law is called Newtonian. Some fluids are non-
Newtonian – their viscosity changes with the amount of force applied to them.
Example is toothpaste – its viscosity decreases when pushed out of a tube;
otherwise, it remains in a solid-like state.

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 Dynamic viscosity
• Poiseuille’s Law
𝑉 𝜋𝑟 4 Δ𝑃
=
𝑡 8𝜂 𝐿

The dynamic viscosity, also called absolute viscosity, can be calculated using
Poiseuille’s [pronounced approximately as pwa-zoo-eey] Law. The equation for
Poiseuílle’s Law relates volumetric flow rate with the pressure difference in a capillary
or tube. Other variables held constant, the more viscous a fluid is, the lower its
volumetric flow rate.

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 Non-commercial, educational usage
© 2018 Westerhof et al, Turbulence in
Snapshots of Hemodynamics,
SpringerLink

The flow of liquids in capillaries or tubes can be laminar (smooth) or turbulent.

Liquids can be thought of flowing in layers. If the layers slide upon each other without
intermixing, then the flow is laminar; otherwise, the flow is turbulent.

The Reynold’s number can be used to predict if flow will be laminar or not. The higher
the Re, the more turbulent the flow will be. Turbulent flow is associated with low
viscosity liquids flowing under high speeds [or great pressure difference].

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 Measurement of viscosity
• 1. Flow rate through a capillary tube of known diameter
• 2. Relative viscosity using Ostwald viscometer

Dynamic viscosity
1 Poise (P) = 0.1 Pa s = 0.1 m-1 kg s-1

Kinematic viscosity
1 Stoke (St) = 1 Poise/ 1 g/cm3

© Jcwf 2003 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ostwald_viscometer.jpg

There are different ways to measure viscosity. Of course, the Poiseuille’s law is used
to calculate viscosities of liquids flowing through capillary tubes. In practice, however,
we usually measure relative viscosities using an Ostwald viscometer.

The viscosity of a sample liquid with known density can be determined by taking the
time it takes to pass from mark A to mark B. The time it takes for reference liquid as a
water has been previously measured. Then since the dynamic viscosity and density of
water can be known from handbooks, the dynamic viscosity of the sample can be
calculated using the equation shown in the slide. The said equation can be simplified
by expressing viscosities in term of kinematic viscosity, which is simply the ratio of
dynamic viscosity to density.

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 Measurement of viscosity
• 3. Falling ball viscometry

Kenneth Y. Lee, Viscosity of high-alcohol content fuel blends with water: Subsurface contaminant
transport implications, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 160, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 94-99

In falling ball viscometry, a metal sphere of known density and radius is dropped into
a column of liquid. The viscosity of the liquid is proportional to the time it takes for
the sphere to drop to the bottom of the liquid.

The falling ball viscometer takes advantage of the Stoke’s Law which related the drag
force and the viscosity of a liquid. The speed of the ball is dependent on the balance
between drag force and the weight and buoyancy of the sphere.

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 Measurement of viscosity
• 4. Orifice viscometry: Zahn cup, Ford viscosity cup
https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/pro
ducts/fisherbrand-cup-type-
viscometers-5/p-206073

(C) Dariusz.Biegacz 2008

https://commons.wikimedia.org/
wiki/File:Kubek-forda.JPG

Orifice viscometers are simple; viscosity is proportional to the time it takes for a
liquid sample to drain out of a cup or funnel. However, it is not as accurate compared
to capillary viscometry and falling ball viscometry.

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 Measurement of viscosity
• 5. Rotational viscometry

Non-commercial, educational usage

© 2008 B. Širok, ... P. Bullen, Physical
Characteristic of Mineral Wool Melts,
in Mineral Wool, Woodhead Publishing

For very thick liquids or liquids that do not obey the Newton’s law, the rotational
viscometer can be used. Here a spindle is rotated in the fluid to be tested. The force
required to rotate the spindle at a given speed is proportional to the viscosity of the
fluid.

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 Variation of viscosity with T and P
323 K
• η ∝ 1/T
Diesel fuel
• η∝P 348 K
298 K

373 K

Processes 2013, 1, 30-48; doi:10.3390/pr1020030

The viscosity, particularly that of liquids, increases with pressure and decreases with
temperature. In the figure show, the diesel fuel becomes less viscous as temperature
is increased.

For gases, their viscosity usually increases with temperature.