Let it Flow! Fluid Viscosity & Temperature
A student filling a graduated cylinder.Copyright Duane Turner, 2023
Students use a hot plate, ice-water bath, and common lab equipment to prepare a viscous or semi-viscous liquid at cold, room, and warm temperature levels. Students measure the mass, volume, and density of their specific liquid to determine the viscosity of their liquid at different temperatures. Students compare their liquid to another group’s liquid to compare and determine any trends with temperature and viscosity.
Students gain foundational knowledge that can be applied to real-world engineering challenges, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of engineering and its reliance on fundamental scientific principles like fluid dynamics. Engineers must have a strong understanding of viscosity in various temperature conditions, especially in industries where fluid dynamics play a crucial role. Engineers designing systems involving liquids, such as pipelines, chemical processing plants, or even food manufacturing, need to consider how temperature variations affect viscosity.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the factors that affect viscosity.
- Describe the relationship between the temperature of a fluid and its viscosity.
- Make basic measurements measuring mass, volume, time and temperature.