EXPERIMENT 4

MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY

Viscosity is the measure of resistance of offered by a fluid to flow of another fluid. For gases, an
increase in the temperature and pressure results in the increase in viscosity. However, the
viscosity of gases in slightly affected at low pressures. For liquids, an increase in temperature
results in the decrease of viscosity.

Viscosities of liquids are measured using an Ostwald Viscometer or Falling Sphere Viscometer.
The operation of Ostwald Viscometer is governed by the Poiseuille Equation given as follows:

where P = pressure head

r = radius of the capillary tube
L = length of the capillary tube
V = volume of the fluid
T = time of efflux

Using a standard liquid, the ration of the viscosities yields

Another method employed to measure the viscosities of the liquids is the Falling Sphere
Viscometer. The viscometer consists of a cylindrical tube containing a liquid of density, . A
steel ball of radius, r and density, ρ is dropped through the neck of the tube. The time, t for the
steel ball to pass through the fixed points of length, L is measured and the viscosity, µ of the
liquid is calculated using Stokes’ Law as follows:

Stokes’ Law is applied for free settling in the laminar region. It is assumed further that the radius
of the ball used is greater than the distance between the molecules of the fluid. If the procedure is
repeated using a standard liquid, the equation is reduced as follows:
Fluids can be classified according to their rheological behavior. Rheology deals with the
relationship between the shear stress and shear rate ion a real fluid.

Consider a thin layer of fluid between two parallel plates at a distance apart.

Fixed Plate of Area, A

From the figure, the velocity, v increases as the distance, from the fixed plate increases

Similarly,
Where µ is the Newton’s coefficient of viscosity

Real fluids or viscous fluids are fluids of finite viscosity. Non-viscous fluids have zero viscosity
but are compressible. Viscous fluids can be classified as Newtonian and non-Newtonian
according to Newton’s law of Viscosity.

Fluids with constant viscosity at varying shear rate are called Newtonian Fluids. Non-Newtonian
fluids are those which viscosities are function of shear rate. Non-Newtonian fluid can be further
classified according to the manner their viscosities vary with shear rate. Real plastics are fluids
with constant viscosity at high shearing rate. Suspensions of clay in water behave like a real
plastic. Bingham plastics or ideal plastics behave like a Newtonian fluid only when introduced
with a minimum deformation (yield stress). Sewage sludge is a typical example of a Bingham
plastic. Pseudoplastics are fluids that have decreasing viscosity with rate of shear but its
viscosity becomes constant at high shear rate. These types of fluids are commonly gels like
polystyrene in organic solvents and metallic soaps in gasoline. Dilatant fluids are those with
viscosities increasing with shear rate. Quicksand, butter, starch suspensions are example of
dilatant materials.

This experiment will measure the viscosity of liquids using the Ostwald Viscometer and
Viscotester at different temperatures.
 EXPERIMENT 4

MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY

PRELAB EXERCISES

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: _________________

PROFFESOR: ____________________________________ SCORE: ________________

1. Define viscosity and discuss the effect of pressure and temperature on the viscosities of
liquids and gases.

2. What are the SI and AES units for viscosity?

3. Describe how viscosity is measured in an Ostwald Viscosimeter and Falling Sphere

Viscometer?

4. The time of efflux of water through an Ostwald viscosimeter is 0.60 minutes. For the
same volume of an organic liquid of density 1.75 g/ml the time is 1.25 minutes. Find its
absolute viscosity at 20° C is 1 cP.

5. A steel ball of density 12.45 g/mL and 2 mm diameter requires 30 sec to fall a distance of
1 meter through a liquid of density 0.789 g/mL. Calculate the viscosity of the liquid in
Pa-sec.
 EXPERIMENT 4

MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY

Objectives
1. To measure the viscosity of liquids using the Ostwald Viscometer. and Portable
Viscotester.
2. To compare the measured values using two methods.

Apparatus
1. Ostwald Viscometers
2. Iron Stand
3. Iron Clamp
4. Suction Valve
5. Beaker
6. Graduated Cylinder- 10 mL
7. Pipette- 10 mL

Reagents
1. Distilled water
2. 10 ml Glycerol
3. 10 ml Ethyl alcohol
4. 10 Methyl alcohol
5. Starch solution
6. Catsup
7. Condensed Milk

Procedure

A. Measurement of Viscosity using Ostwald Viscometer

1. Clean the viscometer using chromic acid and wash thoroughly with distilled water.
2. Pas hot air to completely dry the viscometer, removing all bubbles or liquid that may
be present.
3. Pipette 5 mL of distilled water into the viscometer and measure its temperature.
4. Using an aspirator, draw the liquid to a point above the upper graduation (pointA)
5. Record the time for the liquid to pass the lower graduation of the viscometer (pointB)
6. Repeat for three (3) trials maintaining the same temperature.
7. Repeat the above procedure glycerol, methyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol
 B. Measurement of Viscosity using Portable Viscotester (Vt-03)
1. Insert the threaded end of the rotor (available rotors are #3, #4, and #5) into the
connector hole and turn the rotor in counter-clockwise until it is completely
mounted.
2. Attached cup A to the unit and fill with starch solution up to the dip mark as
indicated in each rotor.
3. Level the instrument as indicated in the level indicator of the instrument
4. Release the clamp and urn on the power.
5. Read the viscosity according to the rotor used.
6. Use the following rotors according to the range of viscosities:
7. Repeat using catsup and condense milk

ROTOR NUMBER VISCOSITY RANGE SCALE

3 50-330 cP Lower scale
4 2-33 cP Upper scale
5 15-150 cP Middle scale

Disposal of Chemicals

1. Place used chemicals in labeled containers

 EXPERIMENT 4

MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY

PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET

Date: _______________ Score: _______

Group No.: __________

SIGNATURE

Leader: ________________________________ ___________________________

Members: _________________________________ __________________________

_________________________________ __________________________

_________________________________ _________________________

I. Measurement of Viscosity using Ostwald Viscosimeter

DISTILLED WATER Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 AVERAGE
Temperature (o C)
Density (g/mL)
Viscosity (cP)
Time of Efflux (min)

COMPOUND

Temperature (o C)
Density (g/mL)
Viscosity (cP)
Time of Efflux (min)

II. Measurement of Viscosity using Portable Viscosity tester (Vt-03)

LIQUID SAMPLE

Temperature (o C)
Rotor Number
Viscosity (cP)
SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:

Approved by: ________________

Professor

Guide Questions and Problems:

1. Discuss the possible source of errors in the experiment.

2. What are the factors affecting the viscosity of liquids?