When two fluid layers move relative to each other, a friction force develops between them and the slower layer acts to slow down the faster layer. This internal resistance to flow is described by the fluid property called viscosity, which reflects the internal stickiness of the fluid.
What is viscosity? Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid (liquid or gas) to a change in shape or movement of neighbouring portions relative to one another. Viscosity denotes opposition to flow.
Viscosity is a physical quantity that describes a fluid’s resistance to flow. It is a property that resists the relative displacement of the different layers of the fluid. It can be considered as the fluid friction occurring inside the fluid due to the internal friction between the molecules.
Learn how viscosity measures a liquid’s resistance to flow, why “thick” liquids like syrup move slowly, and how intermolecular forces and molecular structure impact flow rate.
Informally, viscosity is the quantity that describes a fluid's resistance to flow. Fluids resist the relative motion of immersed objects through them as well as to the motion of layers with differing velocities within them.
Viscosity refers to a fluid's resistance to flow, indicating how easily it deforms or changes shape when exposed to stress. A high viscosity means the fluid flows slowly, such as honey, whereas a low viscosity allows the fluid to flow more freely, like water.
Viscosity is a physical property that describes a fluid's resistance to flow or to a change in shape. It represents how much internal friction occurs between different layers of a fluid when they move relative to each other.
In this article, you will learn what viscosity is, how it is measured, and the viscosity equation of a fluid. You’ll also explore the reasons why viscosity is important.
Explore the definition, meaning, and types of viscosity. Understand the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity and how they impact fluid performance.
