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Related Concept Videos

Viscosity01:17

Viscosity

7.7K
When water is poured into a glass, it falls freely and quickly, whereas if honey or maple syrup is poured over a pancake, it flows slowly and sticks to the surface of the container. This difference in the flow of different kinds of liquids arises due to the fluid friction between the liquid layers and the liquid and the surrounding material. This property of fluids is called fluid viscosity. In this example, water has a lower viscosity than honey and maple syrup.
The SI unit of viscosity is...
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Viscosity01:27

Viscosity

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Viscosity is a property of fluids that measures their resistance to flow. It is influenced by factors such as the surface area of contact, the gradient of flow speed, and the fluid's viscosity constant, called the coefficient of viscosity. The coefficient of viscosity, also known as dynamic viscosity, is denoted by the symbol η. It determines the proportionality between the viscous force and the gradient of flow speed.Newton's law of viscosity states that the viscous force on a...
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Viscosity of Fluid01:19

Viscosity of Fluid

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Viscosity measures the resistance a fluid offers to flow and deformation. It results from internal friction between layers of fluid moving relative to one another. Dynamic viscosity, denoted by the Greek letter mu (μ), quantifies the force needed to move one fluid layer over another. For Newtonian fluids like water and air, the relationship between the shearing stress and the rate of shearing strain is linear, meaning their viscosity remains constant regardless of the applied stress.
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Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity02:57

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

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Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
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Stokes' Law01:20

Stokes' Law

3.1K
Viscous forces, like friction, are intermolecular forces that resist the relative motion of molecules over each other. When a solid body moves through a liquid, viscous forces drag it in the opposite direction. The force's magnitude depends on the solid's shape and size, as well as its speed and the liquid's coefficient of viscosity, density and temperature.
The expression for the force on a solid spherical object in a fluid is called Stokes' law. Stokes' law is valid only...
3.1K
Newtonian Fluid: Problem Solving01:18

Newtonian Fluid: Problem Solving

1.1K
Newtonian fluids exhibit a constant viscosity, meaning their shear stress and shear strain rate are directly proportional. This property ensures a predictable and stable response to applied forces, maintaining a linear relationship between force and flow. Examples include water, air, and light oils, consistently demonstrating this proportional behavior regardless of external conditions.
A velocity gradient forms within the fluid when a Newtonian fluid is placed between two parallel plates, with...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Fast Imaging Technique to Study Drop Impact Dynamics of Non-Newtonian Fluids
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Fast Imaging Technique to Study Drop Impact Dynamics of Non-Newtonian Fluids

Published on: March 5, 2014

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Drop spreading with random viscosity.

Feng Xu1, Oliver E Jensen1

  • 1School of Mathematics , University of Manchester, Oxford Road , Manchester M13 9PL, UK.

Proceedings. Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences
|November 16, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Heterogeneous solute concentration in a thin film significantly impacts viscous drop spreading. Elevated viscosity patches behind contact lines can impede the spreading process over time.

Keywords:
surface tensionthin-film flowuncertainty quantification

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Related Experiment Videos

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Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure
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The Diffusion of Passive Tracers in Laminar Shear Flow
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Area of Science:

  • Fluid dynamics
  • Soft matter physics
  • Surface science

Background:

  • Viscous liquid drop spreading on thin films is crucial in various industrial processes.
  • Solute concentration gradients can alter fluid viscosity and affect spreading dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To theoretically investigate the influence of heterogeneous solute concentration on viscous drop spreading over a thin film.
  • To understand how initial solute distribution affects drop motion and spreading rate.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing lubrication theory in a planar geometry.
  • Combining numerical simulations with asymptotic analysis.
  • Modeling solute transport passively carried by the spreading flow.

Main Results:

  • Initial solute concentration heterogeneity behind contact lines exerts a long-lived influence on spreading rate.
  • Accumulation of solute from the precursor film behind the contact line can hinder spreading.
  • Patches of elevated viscosity within the precursor film were observed to impede drop motion.

Conclusions:

  • Solute variability is a key factor governing viscous drop spreading dynamics.
  • A low-order model accurately predicts variations in spreading rate and drop location.
  • The study provides insights into controlling fluid behavior in thin film systems.