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Related Concept Videos

Characteristics of Fluids01:20

Characteristics of Fluids

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When a force is applied parallel to the top surface of a solid, it resists the applied force due to the internal frictional forces between the layers of the solid known as shearing resistance. However, when the force is removed, the shearing forces restore the original shape of the solid. Other deformation forces also cause temporary changes in shape if the forces are not beyond a threshold magnitude. Solids tend to retain their shape, making the study of their rest and motion easier. Beyond...
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Fluid dynamics is the study of fluids in motion. Velocity vectors are often used to illustrate fluid motion in applications like meteorology. For example, wind—the fluid motion of air in the atmosphere—can be represented by vectors indicating the speed and direction of the wind at any given point on a map. Another method for representing fluid motion is a streamline. A streamline represents the path of a small volume of fluid as it flows. When the flow pattern changes with time, the...
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Viscosity01:17

Viscosity

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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.
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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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Types of Fluids01:27

Types of Fluids

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Fluids can be classified into Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids based on their response to shear stress. Newtonian fluids have a linear relationship between shear stress and the shear strain rate, following Newton's law of viscosity. Their viscosity remains constant regardless of the shear rate, making their behavior predictable and easier to analyze. Common examples include water, air, oil, and gasoline.
In contrast, non-Newtonian fluids do not follow Newton's law of viscosity, and...
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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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Fast dynamics and high effective dimensionality of liquid fluidity.

C Cockrell1, O Dicks2, I T Todorov3

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Liquid flow arises from mobile atoms moving faster than average in a distinct sub-ensemble. This non-Maxwellian velocity distribution reveals fractional high-dimensional space, unlike solids and gases.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Fluidity distinguishes liquids from solids, driven by mobile transit atoms.
  • The precise nature of this atomic transit motion in liquids remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the atomic motion responsible for liquid fluidity.
  • To characterize the velocity distribution of flow-enabling transits.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of atomic motion in liquid systems.
  • Characterization of velocity distributions for distinct atomic sub-ensembles.
  • Investigation of the relationship between dimensionality and liquid properties.

Main Results:

  • Flow-enabling transits form a distinct sub-ensemble with average atomic speeds exceeding the overall system.
  • These transits exhibit a manifestly non-Maxwellian velocity distribution, unlike solids and gases.
  • The non-Maxwellian distribution indicates a fractional high-dimensional space, approaching 4 at melting and exceeding 4 at higher temperatures.

Conclusions:

  • Liquid fluidity is governed by a unique atomic sub-ensemble with non-Maxwellian dynamics.
  • The observed fractional dimensionality provides new insights into liquid structure and behavior.
  • This dimensionality is temperature and pressure-dependent, reverting to Maxwellian in solid and gas states.