How is viscosity used

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List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Andrew Zimmerman Jones. Math and Physics Expert. Andrew Zimmerman Jones is a science writer, educator, and researcher. He is the co-author of "String Theory for Dummies. Key Takeaways: Importance of Viscosity Viscosity, the "thickness" of fluid, refers to how resistant a fluid is to movement through it. Water has a low or "thin" viscosity, for example, while honey has a "thick" or high viscosity. The law of viscosity has important uses in such areas as inkjet printing, protein formulations and injections, and even food and beverage manufacturing.

Just like in the case of friction between moving solids, viscosity will determine the energy required to make a fluid flow. Viscosity can be measured using various methods from do-it-yourself methods to viscometers that are available in the market. Watch our webinar on the different types of viscosity! You can think in terms of different fluids taking different times to, for example, pour out of a cup. Water will pour out of a glass in a fraction of a second and will take the shape of the receiving container in just as short of a time.

On the other hand, a high viscosity fluid like honey would take minutes to pour out and the interface between honey and air would take just as long to settle. You might have notice that I have been talking about time when trying to establish which of those two fluids is more viscous.

That's what we refer to as a measurement of kinematic viscosity or how fast does a fluid flow for a given force applied to it. In this example, the applied force is gravity. Viscosity measurements are used in the food industry to maximize production efficiency and cost effectiveness. It affects the rate at which a product travels through a pipe, how long it takes to set or dry, and the time it takes to dispense the fluid into packaging. The production process has to be designed with the viscosity of the product in mind, making sure that pipes are angled to optimize flow, or that dispensers provide the right amount of force to induce flow, but not so much that the packaging will overfill.

Viscosity is also a characteristic of the texture of food. To choose the right viscosity for an adhesive, consider how the adhesive must flow, or not flow, on a part after the adhesive is applied. Low-viscosity adhesives will flow more readily than high-viscosity ones, so if you want an adhesive to stay exactly where you put it after dispensing — rather than spread out — a high-viscosity adhesive is ideal.

Petroleum: Viscosity measurements project the effectiveness of lubricating oil and determines design elements of pipelines. Concrete: Viscosity determines the self-leveling and pumping behavior of a mix. Cosmetics: Viscosity should be considered when designing the feel and flow of cosmetic products. Privacy Policy. In light machinery thin oils for example, lubricant oil used in clocks with low viscosity is used.

In heavy machinery, highly viscous oils example: grease are used. In lubrication, viscosity is the most significant characteristic of lubricating oils and, what is often forgotten, it is also very vital in greases.

Viscosity is the resistance to movement. Water flows fast so it has low viscosity, honey has a high viscosity. Drug companies manufacture medicines, such as cough syrup, that have a high viscosity yet are still drinkable, in order to coat the throat.