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Viscosity

Viscosity

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...

Viscosity

Viscosity

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 faster-moving...

Viscosity of Fluid

Viscosity of Fluid

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.

Pressure Variation in a Fluid at Rest

Pressure Variation in a Fluid at Rest

In a fluid at rest, the pressure at any point beneath the fluid surface depends solely on the depth, not on the container's shape or size. This principle, known as hydrostatic pressure, arises because, in stationary fluids, there is no acceleration, meaning the forces within the fluid balance out. Only vertical forces, caused by the weight of the fluid above, contribute to pressure changes with depth.
When measuring pressure at two different levels within the fluid, the difference in pressure...

Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity

Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity

Deformation occurs in axial and transverse directions when an axial load is applied to a slender bar. This deformation impacts the cubic element within the bar, transforming it into either a rectangular parallelepiped or a rhombus, contingent on its orientation. This transformation process induces shearing strain. Axial loading elicits both shearing and normal strains. Applying an axial load instigates equal normal and shearing stresses on elements oriented at a 45° angle to the load axis.

Types of Fluids

Types of Fluids

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 their...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Characterizing Dissipative Elastic Metamaterials Produced by Additive Manufacturing

Characterizing Dissipative Elastic Metamaterials Produced by Additive Manufacturing

Published on: June 28, 2024

How Viscoelastic Effects Impact Polymer Fluid Flow in Porous Media.

Yongxin Wang¹, Si Suo^1,2, Callum Cuttle³

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ UK.

Transport in Porous Media

|May 18, 2026

Summary

Fluid elasticity in porous media can cause upstream recirculation, reducing polymer fluid flow. This effect is significant in subsurface applications and requires careful modeling for accurate performance forecasting.

Keywords:

Polymeric fluids Porous media Shear thinning rheology Viscoelasticity

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Last Updated: May 19, 2026

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Experimental Measurement of Settling Velocity of Spherical Particles in Unconfined and Confined Surfactant-based Shear Thinning Viscoelastic Fluids

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In situ Photo-rheology Monitors Viscoelastic Changes in Photo-responsive Polymer Networks

In situ Photo-rheology Monitors Viscoelastic Changes in Photo-responsive Polymer Networks

Published on: June 20, 2025

Area of Science:

Geotechnical Engineering
Fluid Dynamics
Polymer Science

Background:

Polymer fluids are crucial in subsurface and geotechnical engineering.
While shear-thinning is understood, the influence of elasticity on flow in porous media remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To numerically investigate the impact of polymer fluid elasticity on flow in porous media.
To compare viscoelastic models (FENE-P) with shear-thinning models (Carreau).

Main Methods:

Direct, pore-scale numerical simulations.
Comparison of FENE-P and Carreau models.
Simulations across 2D, 3D (microfluidics), and axisymmetric geometries.
Flow simulation in ordered sphere packing.

Main Results:

Fluid elasticity induces upstream recirculation at restrictions, reducing polymer fluid conductance.
Recirculation is geometry-dependent and increases with the Weissenberg number.
Viscoelastic fluids show greater energy loss than Carreau fluids in constrictions and lattices.
Strong shear-thinning can suppress elastic effects.

Conclusions:

Viscoelastic effects are significant in subsurface applications due to pore-scale confinement and fluid rheology.
Explicit consideration of viscoelasticity is necessary for accurate modeling, pilot design, and performance forecasting.