Viscosity

Informally, viscosity is the quantity that describes a fluid's resistance to flow. Fluids resist the
relative motion of immersed objects through them as well as to the motion of layers with
differing velocities within them.

Formally, viscosity (represented by the symbol "eta") is the ratio of the shearing
stress (F/A) to the velocity gradient (vx/z or dvx/dz) in a fluid.

F/A
=
vx/z

or

F/A
=
dvx/dz

The SI unit of viscosity is the pascal second [Pa s], which has no special name. Despite its self-
proclaimed title as an international system, the International System of Units has had very
little international impact on viscosity. The pascal second is rarely used in scientific and
technical writing today. The most common unit of viscosity is
the dyne second per square centimeter [dyne s/cm2], which is given the name poise [P] after
the French physiologist Jean Poiseuille (17991869). Ten poise equal one pascal second
[Pa s] making the centipoise [cP] and millipascal second [mPa s] identical.

1 Pa s = 10 P
1,000 mPa s = 10 P
1 mPa s = 0.01 P
1 mPa s = 1 cP

There are actually two quantities that are called viscosity. The quantity defined above is
sometimes called dynamic viscosity, absolute viscosity, or simple viscosity to distinguish it
from the other quantity, but is usually just called viscosity. The other quantity
called kinematic viscosity (represented by the Greek letter "nu") is the ratio of the viscosity
of a fluid to its density.

=

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of the resistive flow of a fluid under the influence of gravity.
It is frequently measured using a device called a capillary viscometer basically a graduated
can with a narrow tube at the bottom. When two fluids of equal volume are placed in
identical capillary viscometers and allowed to flow under the influence of gravity, a viscous
fluid takes longer than a less viscous fluid to flow through the tube. Capillary viscometers will
be discussed in more detail later in this section.

The SI unit of kinematic viscosity is the square meter per second [m2/s], which has no special
name. This unit is so large that it is rarely used. A more common unit of kinematic viscosity
is the square centimeter per second [cm2/s], which is given the name stokes [St] after the
Irish mathematician and physicist George Stokes (18191903). One square meter per second
is equal to ten thousand stokes.

1 cm2/s = 1 St
1 m /s = 10,000 cm2/s
2

1 m2/s = 10,000 St

Even this unit is a bit too large, so the most common unit is probably the square millimeter
per second [mm2/s] or the centistokes [cSt]. One square meter per second is equal to one
million centistokes.

1 mm2/s = 1 cSt
1 m /s = 1,000,000 mm2/s
2

1 m2/s = 1,000,000 cSt

The stokes is a rare example of a word in the English language where the singular and plural
forms are identical : 1 stokes, 2 stokes, no stokes, many stokes.

Applications of Viscosity

Why might it be important to know how to determine the flow rate and, therefore, the
viscosity of a liquid? The viscosity of liquids is an important property that must be measured
precisely in some industries. For example, the viscosity of paints, varnishes, and similar
household products is closely regulated so that the paints and varnishes can be applied
smoothly and evenly with a brush roller. In fact, antique dealers and many householders are
glad that furniture stripping liquid has finally been thickened. In the past, this thin, smelly
liquid was difficult to use because it tended to run down and off the furniture before it had
a chance to remove old paint and finishes. Now, however, the viscosity has been increased
to produced an almost gel-like texture, so that the product is easier to apply and sticks well
to the surface of the furniture.

The viscosity of some medications, such as the various liquids used to remove warts, has also
been modified for easier application. Drug companies manufacture medicines, such as cough
syrup, that have a high viscosity yet are still drinkable, in order to coat and soothe the throat.
People in many occupations need to know how to adjust the viscosity of a substance to suit
specific applications. For example, chefs need to know how to make gravies thinner than
sauces and frostings thicker than icings. Mechanics must choose an engine oil that is the
right viscosity for the season.

Artists need to know how to thin or thicken oil paints or acrylics. Technicians must control
the viscosity of various chemicals in chemical processing plants.

Now think about chocolate for a minute. The coating on candy bars must be at precisely the
right consistency and temperature in order to cover th bar completely with the same amount
of chocalate each time. Some candy coatings are especially sensitive to temperature. If the
cany were to stay too hot for too long, it might become so hard that it would be unpleasant
to bite. The candy would then have to be remade.

Canadas maple syrup industry depends on controlling the viscosity of a liquid. Maple syrup
comes from the sap of sugar maple trees. The sap itself is thin, runny, and not sweet to the
taste. However, when the sap is heated and most of the water has evaporated, the result is
a thick, sweet, and flavourful syrup, irresistable on pancakes and waffles!