Duhok Polytechnic University

Technical College of Engineering

Petrochemical Engineering Department

Title of Experiment:

DETERMINATION OF LIQUID VISCOSITY BY STOCK`S METHOD

Student name:

Ibrahim Dewali

Class:

Date Expt. Performed:

24/2/2018

Date Report Submitted

3/3/2017
 EXPERIMENT 2
DETERMINATION OF LIQUID VISCOSITY BY STOCK`S METHOD

Objective: To master the basic concepts of fluid mechanics and to

determine the dynamic coefficient of viscosity for a liquid.

Introduction: Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid (liquid or gas) to a

change in shape, or movement of neighboring portions relative to one
another. Viscosity denotes opposition to flow. The reciprocal of the
viscosity is called the fluidity, a measure of the ease of flow. Molasses,
for example, has a greater viscosity than water. Because part of a fluid
that is forced to move carries along to some extent adjacent parts,
viscosity may be thought of as internal friction between the molecules;
such friction opposes the development of velocity differences within a
fluid. Viscosity is a major factor in determining the forces that must be
overcome when fluids are used in lubrication and transported in pipelines.
It controls the liquid flow in such processes as spraying, injection
molding, and surface coating.

Stokes Law:

When a spherical body moves down through an infinite column of highly

viscous liquid, it drags the layer of the liquid in contact with it.
As a result, the body experiences a retarding force.

Then according to Stokes law, the viscous drag force,

Fd= 6πµVr

It gives the relationship between retarding force and velocity. When

viscous force plus buoyant force becomes equal to force due to gravity,
the net force becomes zero. The sphere then descends with a constant
terminal velocity (v)

Now,
EQUIPMENTS:
1. Graduated cylinder.
2. Digital balance.
3. Micrometer.
4. Vernier.
5. Ruler.
6. Stop-watch.
7. Metallic ball.
8. Different liquids (olive oil, engine oil).

Falling Ball Viscometers:

A number of methods are used to measure the viscosity of fluids. These
are typically based on one of three phenomena—a moving surface in
contact with a fluid, an object moving through a fluid, and fluid flowing
through a resistive component. These phenomena utilize three major
viscometers in the industry, i.e., a rotating viscometer, a falling-ball
viscometer, and a capillary viscometer. The falling ball viscometer
typically measures the viscosity of Newtonian liquids and gases. The
method applies Newton’s law of motion under force balance on a falling
sphere ball when it reaches a terminal velocity. In Newton’s law of
motion for a falling ball, there exist buoyancy force, weight force, and
drag force, and these three forces reach a net force of zero. The drag force
can be obtained from Stokes’ law.
Procedure:
1) find spheres of metallic balls.

2) Using the micrometer determine the diameter of the ball or sphere.

Next find the mass of the sphere. You can now use these two numbers to
determine the density of the sphere in (g/cm3).

3) Next you will need to measure the fall time of the sphere through the
fluid that contained in the()-mL graduated cylinder. To do this use the
stopwatch to measure the amount of time it takes for the sphere to fall
from the ()-mL mark to the ()-mL mark.

4) Repeat steps for the remaining two other Liquids of differentdensities.

5) Measure the distance using the ruler between the upper graduation line
and the lower graduation line.

6) Now using the time recorded from the stopwatch for each sphere
dropped and thedistance measurement between the graduation lines,
determine the velocity ofeach sphere as it passed through the fluid (cm/s).

7) Using Stokes’ Law provided in the lab manual, determine the viscosity
(µ) of the fluid using the average velocity of the three spheres.

The Readings and calculation:

Liquid 1 Ball Fluid Radius of Velocity Dynamic

density density ball of ball viscosity
engine oil 1.25 g/cm3 0.864 0.39cm 3.1cm/s 4.14
g/cm3 g/cm.s
Discussion:

1. What the effect of fluid temperature on viscosity value?

Gas viscosity will increase with temperature.
But liquid viscosity will decrease with increasing temperature.

2. What the effect of fluid density on viscosity value?

If density increases viscosity will increase because viscosity is
proportional with density.

3. What the effect of ball radius change on viscosity value?

For the same fluid Ball radius change has no effect on viscosity.

4. What the effect of ball density on viscosity value?

For the same fluid ball density has no effect on viscosity.

5. What the effect of ball velocity on viscosity value?

Liquid which has a higher velocity it will has a lower viscosity

6. What the effect of ball weight on viscosity value?

Ball weight will not effect on the viscosity of the same fluid

7. How we can get the value of ball density?

By taking its diameter and radius and calculating ball volume.

8. How we can measure the tube glass diameter?

By vernie

9. What the effect of fluid quantity on ball velocity?

It does not effect

10.Should the terminal velocity of two different size spheres be the

same?
Yes it should for the same liquid

11.Does a larger sphere have a higher terminal velocity?

no it will be lower

12.Should the viscosity found for two different size spheres be the
same? Why or why not?
 Viscosity for the same liquid will not change. Size of the spheres
will effect the velocity and density not visscocity

13.Why should temperature be recorded?

Because viscosity effect the temperature
14.Can this method be used for gases?
Yes it can

Conclusion:

Students understand the behavior and properties of fluids

and get the knowledge about viscosity of liquids
and the quantity, coefficient of viscosity and the various
factors affecting its value and the concept of terminal
velocity.