Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow

Viscous Flow:

Real fluids are viscous, having internal attractive

forces between the molecules so that any relative
motion of molecules results in frictional or drag
forces.

Viscosity: the resistance of a liquid to the flowing

ability, it measures the internal friction of the fluid.

Quantitative Measurement of Viscosity:

Consider two parallel plates with a specific fluid between them.

The bottom plate is held fixed, while the top plate is moved to the right, dragging fluid
with it.

The layer (or lamina) of fluid in contact with

either plate does not move relative to the
plate, and so the top layer moves at v while
the bottom layer remains at rest.

Each successive layer from the top down

exerts a force on the one below it, trying to
drag it along, producing a continuous
variation in speed from v to 0 as shown.

A force F is required to keep the top plate

in motion at a constant velocity v, and
experiments have shown that this force
depends on four factors:

As the speed increases, a larger force is

needed

Second, F is proportional to the area A of the

plate. This relationship seems reasonable,
since A is directly proportional to the amount of fluid being moved.

Third, F is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates L.

Fourth, F is directly proportional to the coefficient of viscosity, η. The greater the

viscosity, the greater the force required.
 Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow
These dependencies are combined into the equation:

F = η vA/L ;

F in N, v in m/s, A in m2, L in m and η in N.s/m2= Pa.s;

Notes: The viscosities of gases are much less than those

of liquids, and these viscosities are often temperature
dependent ( As T decreases, η increases).

Poisseille’s law:

Consider a fluid with viscous resistance flowing in a pipe of

length l and radius R.

The fluid will gradually slow down and stop due to the
frictional force generated by the viscous forces.

In order to keep the fluid in motion, a pressure difference is

required at the ends of the pipe, so that, the excess pressure
pushes the fluid along and overcomes the frictional force. The
delivery rate Q in cm3/s:
 Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow
 where P1 − P2 is the difference between the fluid pressures at the two ends of the
2
cylinder and η is the coefficient of viscosity measured in units of dyn (sec/cm ), which
is called a poise.
 The viscosities of some fluids are listed below.

 In general, viscosity is a function of temperature and increases as the fluid becomes

colder.
Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow
Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow
 Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow

Prob.1
Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow
 Fluid Mechanics - Viscous Flow

Prob.2