Scribd
Upload
338 views5 pages

Experiment On Basic Concepts: Experiment 4.1 Measurement of Viscosity by Redwood Viscometer

This document describes an experiment to measure the viscosity of fluids using a Redwood viscometer. The experiment involves measuring the time it takes for a fluid to flow through the viscometer at different temperatures. This time measurement is then used to calculate the kinematic and absolute viscosity based on equations provided. A graph of viscosity versus temperature is also plotted to show the typical inverse relationship between viscosity and temperature for fluids.

Uploaded by

Camille Lardizabal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
338 views5 pages

Experiment On Basic Concepts: Experiment 4.1 Measurement of Viscosity by Redwood Viscometer

This document describes an experiment to measure the viscosity of fluids using a Redwood viscometer. The experiment involves measuring the time it takes for a fluid to flow through the viscometer at different temperatures. This time measurement is then used to calculate the kinematic and absolute viscosity based on equations provided. A graph of viscosity versus temperature is also plotted to show the typical inverse relationship between viscosity and temperature for fluids.

Uploaded by

Camille Lardizabal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

CHAPTER 4

Experiment on Basic Concepts

EXPERIMENT 4.1
Measurement of Viscosity by Redwood Viscometer

Learning Objectives

Determine the kinematic and dynamic viscosity of fluid using Redwood viscometer.

Apparatus
1. Redwood viscometer
2. 50 mL measuring flask
3. Thermometers (2)
4. Weighing balance.

Experimental Set-up
Figure 4.1 shows the experimental set-up of Redwood viscometer.

Theory
Viscosity is the property of the fluid that offers resistance to the relative motion between layers of fluid.
It represents fluidity of the fluid. The fluidity and viscosity are inversely proportional. That is, highly
viscous fluid is less fluidic and low viscous fluid (thin fluid) is highly fluidic.
Figure 4.1 Experimental set-up of Redwood viscometer.

According to Newton’s law of viscosity, the shear stress, τ, developed between two layers of the
fluid is proportion to the velocity gradient du/dy. That is,

du
τ∝ (4.1)
dy

Replacing the proportionality by a constant μ

du
τ =μ (4.2)
dy

where μ is the dynamic viscosity, absolute viscosity or simply viscosity of the fluid. It is expressed in N∙
s/m2 or in poise (P). Another way of defining the viscosity is the kinematic viscosity, v, defined as

μ
v¿ (4.3)
ρ

where ρ is the mass density of fluid. Kinematic viscosity is expressed in m2/s in SI units.

Redwood viscometer is the standard commercial viscometer used to measure viscosity of liquids.
It works on the principle that the quality of a certain volume liquid flowing through the orifice is
proportional to the time of flow. The rate of flow will be proportional to kinematic viscosity and hence
kinematic viscosity, v, is determined using the time, t. the kinematic viscosity, v, is given by

B
v¿ At− (4.4)
t

where A and B are constants determined by calibration. The values of A and B are supplied by the
suppliers.

Procedure
1. Place the Redwood viscometer on a level platform and level it with the help of leveling
screws.
2. Fill the water bath with sufficient water.
3. Close the orifice valve by the ball fitted with wire. Fill the oil cup with required quantity of
oil.
4. Note down the mass of empty flask, m1.
5. Place the empty flask below the orifice.
6. Fix the thermometers one in each oil cup and water bath.
7. Switch on the heater and maintain a particular temperature in the water bath by continuous
stirring.
8. Once the constant temperature is reached, lift the ball valve and allow the liquid to drain
into the flask. Start the stop watch simultaneously.
9. Once the flask is filled up to 50 mL marking, stop the stop watch and record the time.
10. Take out the flask and find its mass, m2.
11. Repeat the procedure for various temperatures.

Observations
1. Mass of empty flask, m1 = . . . . . . . . . . g
2. Volume of the liquid, V = 50 cc.
3. Redwood constants, A = 0.0026 and B = 1.79 for 34 < t < 100 s.
A = 0.00247 and B = 0.5 for t > 100 s.

SL Oil Time of Mass of Mass of oil Density of oil Viscosity


No temperature collection of flask m = m2 – m1 ρ
. (℃ ) 50 mL of oil with oil (g)
T m2 (g/cc kg/m3 Kinematic Absolute μ
(s) (g) ) τ (N ∙ s/m2)
(m2/s)
1 Room Temp.
2
3
4
Specimen Calculations
m
1. Density, ρ ¿ (g/cc)
V
= . . . . . . . . . . x103 kg/m3
B
2. Kinematic Viscosity, v¿ At −( t ) x10-4 (m2/s)

3. Absolute Viscosity, μ = v x ρ (N∙s/m2)

Graphs
1. Plot temperature versus Kinematic viscosity.
2. Plot temperature versus Absolute viscosity.

Nature of Graphs
The typical nature of graphs shown in figure 4.4.

Figure 4.4 Typical nature of graphs.

Review of Learning Objectives


Q1 What is viscosity of fluid?
Ans: Viscosity of a fluid is defined as the resistance offered by the fluid to its motion.
It represents fluidity of the liquid.
Q2 What is the relationship between viscosity and fluidity?
Ans: Viscosity is inverse of fluidity. Fluidity expresses the easiness with which the fluid flows.
Q3 State the Newton’s law of viscosity.
Ans: The Newton’s law of viscosity states that “the shear stress, τ, developed between two layers of
du
the fluid is proportion to the velocity gradient du/dy. That is τ ∝ .
dy
Q4 Differentiate between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.
Ans: Fluids that obey Newton’s law of viscosity are called Newtonian fluids. On the other hand, if the
fluids do not exhibit the linear relationship between shear stress and velocity gradient then such
fluid are known as non-Newtonian fluid.
Q5 Give some example of Newtonian fluid.
Ans: Examples of Newtonian fluids are water, air, mercury, glycerin, kerosene.
Q6 Give some example of non-Newtonian fluid.
Ans: Examples of non-Newtonian fluids are paints, blood, gelatin, and milk.
Q7 When the temperature of the fluid is increased, what happens to its viscosity?
Ans: With the increase in temperature, the viscosity of fluid decreases.
Q8 What is the relationship between kinematic viscosity and absolute viscosity?
Ans: Absolute viscosity = kinematic viscosity x density.
Q9 What is velocity gradient?
Ans: Velocity gradient is the ratio of change in velocity between two fluid layers to the distance
between the layers.
Q10 What is the unit in kinematic viscosity?
Ans: Kinematic viscosity is expressed in Stokes or in m2/s or in cm2/s.
Q11 What is the unit of absolute viscosity?
Ans: Absolute viscosity is expressed in Poise (P) or in N∙s/m2 .
Q12 Names of different viscometers used to measure viscosity of fluids.
Ans: Redwood viscometer, Engler Viscometer, Sayblot viscometer, Thomas-Stormer viscometer, etc.

Possible Errors
1. Error in the measurement of the weight of the flask.
2. Mistake in noting the time of the collection of the liquid.
3. Error in measurement of the temperature of the liquids.

Precaution
1. Properly level the viscometer.
2. Stir the liquid properly and note the temperatures.
3. Open the orifice correctly so as to avoid wastage of liquid.
4. Maintain proper earthing of electrical connections.
5. Operate the equipment under the supervision of laboratory technical staff.
6. In case of emergency, contact the laboratory technical staff.

You might also like