CH116L: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)

1ST Quarter SY 2019-2020

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (CH116L)

Measurement of Viscosity of Liquids by Capillary Flow Method

Experiment no. 3

Submitted to: Prof. Medarlo de Jesus

Submitted by: Manglo, John Andrae B.

Experiment 01│ Group No. 7│ 08/27/19 1 of 6

 CH116L: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)
1ST Quarter SY 2019-2020

ABSTRACT
The experiment is about the determination of the viscosity of a number of normal saturated
alcohols by means of an Ostwald viscometer. It studies the effects of salt concentration on the
viscosities of aqueous solutions and of temperature on the viscosity of water. The reagents used
are distilled water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, 1-butanol, NaCl, and chromic acid. Several materials
are used I the determination of viscosity such as Ostwald-Fenske viscometer, constant
temperature bath, stopwatch, 10-mL pipettes, and 250-mL beakers. The viscosity of pure liquids
is determined with the use of the Ostwald viscometer. The constant A of the viscometer is
determined using water which has known density and viscosity. With this constant, other
viscosities are computed. The experiment studies some factors affecting the viscosity of fluids.
Salt concentrations increase the viscosities of aqueous solutions. Viscosity of liquids is greatly
affected by the temperature. Viscosity is inversely proportional to temperature. As the
temperature of a fluid increases the viscosity of that fluid decreases. When the liquid is heated,
the cohesive forces between the molecules reduce thus the forces of attraction between them
reduce, which eventually reduces the viscosity of the liquids.

Introduction

The objective of the experiment is to difference in velocity between two

determine the viscosity of a number of
normal saturated alcohols by means of
an Ostwald viscometer. It also studies
the effects of salt concentration on the
viscosities of aqueous solutions and of
temperature on the viscosity of water.
Viscosity is a measure of the
resistance of a fluid which is being
deformed by either shear stress or
tensile stress. In everyday terms,
viscosity is thickness or internal
friction.
When two layers of fluids move past
one another with a certain relative
velocity, both layers experience a force
which tends to oppose their relative
motions. The area of the plane of
contact between the layers and the
velocity gradient normal to it affect the
magnitude of the force. The effect is
expressed as:
𝑭 complicated relationship between
𝑨 shear stress and velocity gradient than
𝒅𝒖
∝ 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟏
𝒅𝒙
layers (m/s), dx is the difference in
position normal to the flow between
two fluid layers (m), and A is the area
of contact (m2). The ratio F/A is termed
the viscous shear stress (𝜏).
Introducing of a proportionality
constant makes equation 1 to:
𝝉
𝒅𝒖
= 𝝁 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟐
𝒅𝒙
where μ is the dynamic viscosity or
simply the viscosity of fluid (kg/m-s).
Newton's law of viscosity (equation 2),
is a constitutive equation. It is not a
fundamental law of nature but an
approximation that holds in some
materials and fails in others. Non-
Newtonian fluids exhibit a more
simple linearity. Thus there exist a
number of forms of viscosity:

where u is the velocity (m/s), du is the

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 CH116L: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)
1ST Quarter SY 2019-2020

1. Newtonian: fluids, such as water through the capillary is measured.

and most gases which have a There is a constant pressure drop
constant viscosity. across the capillary. Ostwald
2. Shear thickening: viscosity viscometers must be calibrated with a
increases with the rate of shear. known material.
3. Shear thinning: viscosity decreases
with the rate of shear. Shear The Ostwald-Fenske method makes use of
thinning liquids are very commonly, the Hagen-Poiseuille equation for the
but misleadingly, described as determination of liquid viscosities by
thixotropic. measuring the time of flow of a given volume
4. Thixotropic: materials which liquid through a vertical capillary tube under
become less viscous over time the influence of gravity. For a virtually
when shaken, agitated, or incompressible fluid, this flow is governed by
otherwise stressed. the Poiseuille’s law in the form
5. Rheopectic: materials which
become more viscous over time 𝒅𝑽 𝝅𝒓𝟒 ∆𝑷
when shaken, agitated, or = 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟑
𝒅𝒕 𝟖𝝁𝑳
otherwise stressed.
6. A Bingham plastic is a material that where dV/dt is the rate of liquid flow through
behaves as a solid at low stresses a cylindrical tube of radius r and length L, and
but flows as a viscous fluid at high ΔP is the pressure difference between two
stresses. ends of the tube.
7. A magnetorheological fluid is a type
of "smart fluid" which, when
subjected to a magnetic field,
greatly increases its apparent
viscosity, to the point of becoming
a viscoelastic solid. When ΔP is constant, equation 3 becomes
There are several experimental 𝒕
methods for the determination of the 𝝁 = 𝝅𝒓𝟒 ∆𝑷 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟒
𝟖𝑽𝑳
viscosity of fluids such as flow through
the capillary tubes, fall of solid spheres where t is the time required for the upper
through fluids, torque or viscous drag meniscus of the liquid in the left arm of the
on a rotating disk or cylinder immersed viscometer to fall from the upper to the lower
in the fluid, and flow of fluids through fiducial mark.
an aperture in a plate. The experiment
used the Ostwald viscometer which is Equation 4 can be reduced having ΔP is
based on the principles of flow through equal to ρgh:
capillary tubes.
𝒕
U-tube viscometers are known as 𝝁 = 𝝅𝒓𝟒 𝝆𝒈𝒉 = 𝑨𝝆𝒕 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟓
𝟖𝑽𝑳
glass capillary viscometers or Ostwald
viscometers (see Figure 2), named where A is a constant for a given viscometer
after Wilhelm Ostwald. Ostwald which can be determined through calibration
viscometers measure the viscosity of a with a liquid of known viscosity and density.
fluid with a known density. It uses a
small-diameter tube (capillary). The
fluid’s time of flow of a specific volume
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 CH116L: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)
1ST Quarter SY 2019-2020
Objectives
The following are the objectives of the experiment:
 To determine the viscosity of a number of normal saturated alcohols by means of an Ostwald
viscometer.
Methodologies
Materials
The reagents used in the experiment are
distilled water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, 1-
butanol, NaCl (table salt), and chromic acid.
The following equipment and glassware are
used namely Ostwald-Fenske viscometer,
constant temperature bath, stopwatch, 10-
mL pipettes, and 250-mL beakers.
Methods
The experiment is about the determination
of the viscosity of a number of normal
saturated alcohols by means of Ostwald
viscometer. It also tends to determine the
effect of salt concentration on viscosities of
aqueous solutions and of temperature on
viscosity of water.
First, the Ostwald viscometer is needed to
be set up. The apparatus is cleaned with
chromic acid and rinsed with distilled water.
Before starting the measurements of the
viscosities, the viscometer has been
calibrated.
The viscometer is filled with 10 mL of liquid
sample in the water bath set at a preferred
temperature. The sample must first reach
thermal equilibrium before starting the
measurement of viscosity.
Using one end of the viscometer which has
Experiment 03│ Group No. 7│ 09/10/19
a larger diameter, the rubber bulb is used to
push the liquid sample to the capillary arm.
The pushing of the liquid sample is
continued until the sample fills the feed bulb
and the meniscus which is above the upper
fiducial mark.
After the pushing of the sample, the liquid is
released and is allowed to flow by its own
weight. The time required for the upper
meniscus of the liquid in the feed bulb in
order for it to pass two calibration marks is
recorded.
The same procedure is done with the other
liquid samples (saturated alcohol samples).
Also, the viscosities of aqueous solutions
are determined. This part will determine the
effect of salt concentration on the viscosities
of aqueous solutions. Three salt solutions
are prepared with different concentrations.
Same procedure is done to each sample for
the use of the viscometer.
The last part of the experiment determines
the effect of temperature on the viscosity of
water. Same procedure is done with the use
of the viscometer but each water sample
has different temperature. The temperature
is increased by 5°C from the room
temperature until three water samples are
done.
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Data Entries:

Table 1. Viscosity of Pure Liquids

Flow time through Calculated Literature value

Sample
Ostwald viscometer, s viscosity of viscosity
Water 15 .85 cp .85 cp
Ethanol 22 .99 cp .95 cp
Ethylene glycol 223 14.14 cp 15 cp
1-Butanol 53 2.44 cp 2.3 cp

Room Temperature: 32°C

Table 2. Effect of Salt Concentration on Viscosities of Aqueous Solutions

NaCl Flow time through Calculated

concentration Ostwald viscometer, s viscosity
0 15 .85 cp
0.20 M 16 .91 cp
0.50 M 17 .96 cp
1.00 M 18 1.02 cp

Table 3. Temperature Effects on Viscosity of Water

Flow time through Calculated

Temperature
Ostwald viscometer, s viscosity
Room temp. (29°C) 14 .85 cp
Room temp. + 5°C 12 .72 cp
Room temp. + 10°C 11 .66 cp
Room temp. + 15°C 10 .60 cp

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 CH116L: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)
1ST Quarter SY 2019-2020

Calculation:

1. Computation for k(constant):

𝜂 = 𝑘𝜌𝑡
o 𝑘𝑔
Water at 30 C: 𝜌 = 995.65 𝑚3
𝑘𝑔
𝜂 9.81𝑥10−4 𝑚𝑠
𝑘= =
𝜌𝑡 𝑘𝑔
(995.65 ) (14.38𝑠)
𝑚3
𝑚2
𝐴 = 6.8518𝑥10−8 2
𝑠
2. Calculated viscosity for Ethanol:
𝜂 = 𝑘𝜌𝑡
𝑘𝑔
ethanol at 30oC: 𝜌 = 780.97 𝑚3
𝑚2 𝑘𝑔
𝜂 = (6.8518𝑥10−8
2
) (780.97 3 ) (20.11𝑠)
𝑠 𝑚
𝑘𝑔
𝜂 = 1.08𝑥10−3
𝑚𝑠
3. Viscosity of NaCl aqueous solution at 0.2M concentration
−8
𝑚2 𝑘𝑔
𝜂 = 𝑘𝜌𝑡 = (6.8518𝑥10 2
) (995.65 3 ) (12.66𝑠)
𝑠 𝑚
𝑘𝑔
𝜂 = 8.64𝑥10−4
𝑚𝑠
4. Viscosity of water at 40oC
𝑚2 𝑘𝑔
𝜂 = 𝑘𝜌𝑡 = (6.8518𝑥10−8 2 ) (995.65 3 ) (11.06𝑠)
𝑠 𝑚
𝑘𝑔
𝜂 = 7.545𝑥10−4
𝑚𝑠

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 CH116L: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (LABORATORY)
1ST Quarter SY 2019-2020
Analysis and Discussion
Viscosity of Pure Liquids
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a
fluid which is being deformed by either shear
stress or tensile stress. In everyday terms
(and for fluids only), viscosity is thickness or
internal friction.
The experiment made use of the Ostwald
viscometer which is based on the principles
of flow through capillary tubes. It used three
different pure liquids namely ethanol,
ethylene glycol and 1-butanol.
To determine the viscosity of each liquid, this
equation is used:
𝜇 = 𝐴𝜌𝑡
where μ is the viscosity, ρ is the density of
the liquid, t is the time required for the upper
meniscus of the liquid in the left arm of the
viscometer to fall from the upper to the lower
fiducial mark, and A is a constant for a given
viscometer which can be determined through
calibration with a liquid of known viscosity
and density.
The constant A is determined using water
with viscosity of 9.8 x 10 -4 kg/m-s and
density of 1000 kg/m3. Using the equation
above, the constant A can be determined.
The time required by the water to fall from
the upper and lower fiducial mark is 15
seconds. Thus, the constant A is computed
as 5.7 x 10 -8 m2.
The computed A is used to determine the
viscosity of the other three samples of
alcohol. Table 1 shows the results of the
determination of viscosity of pure liquids.
On the three alcohols, ethanol has the
shortest time while ethylene glycol has the
longest time. The densities of ethanol,
ethylene glycol and 1-butanol are 790 kg/m3,
1113.2 kg/m3, and 810 kg/m3 respectively.
Using these values, the viscosities of the
liquids are computed and determined.
The computed viscosity and the literature
Experiment 01│ Group No. 7│ 08/27/19
value of viscosity have small percentage of
error. One possible cause of error is the
recording of time. It is very difficult to start
and stop the timer on how the sample liquid
would pass the markers. Another source of
error is the temperature. The viscosity of a
fluid is greatly affected by the temperature.
The effects of temperature to the viscosity
will be discussed on the later part of the
discussion.
Effect of Salt Concentration on
Viscosities of Aqueous Solutions
The experiment tried to investigate the effect
of salt concentration on viscosities of
aqueous solutions. To do so, three different
concentrations (0.20 M, 0.50 M and 1.00 M)
of salt solutions are prepared.
The viscosity of pure water serves as the
basis for the study of the effect of salt
concentration since the salt solutions use
water as the solvent.
When the first concentration is tested in the
Ostwald viscometer, the time it takes for the
solution to pass the upper and lower marks
increases compared to the time of pure
water. With this, the viscosity of water
increases when salt is added.
As the salt concentration of the solutions
increases, the time it takes for the solution to
pass the marks increases based on the
results of the second and third solutions.
This means that salt increases the viscosity
of water.
Temperature Effects on Viscosity of
Water
In the discussion of the viscosity of pure
liquids, temperature is a factor that affects
viscosity. In the experiment, the viscosity of
water at different temperatures is
determined.
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From the room temperature, the water of that fluid decreases.

temperature is increased by 5°C in every
trial. This part studied the relationship of
viscosity and temperature.
At room temperature, the time taken by the
water to pass the upper and lower fiducial
marks of the viscometer is 15seconds. When
the temperature is increased by 5°C, the
time taken by the water to pass the marks is
12 seconds only. As the temperature keeps
on increasing the time taken by the water to
pass the marks becomes shorter.
This means that viscosity is inversely
proportional to temperature. As the
temperature of a fluid increases the viscosity
In the liquids, the cohesive forces between
the molecules predominates the molecular
momentum transfer between the molecules
mainly because the molecules are closely
packed. It is this reason that liquids have
lesser volume than gases. The cohesive
forces are in maximum in solids so the
molecules are even more closely packed in
them. When the liquid is heated the cohesive
forces between the molecules reduce thus
the forces of attraction between them
reduce, which eventually reduces the
viscosity of the liquids.

Conclusion

The experiment was done using the Ostwald-Fenske viscometer and the room temperature was
determined. The results were tabulated and analyzed. It showed that stronger bonds in the
molecules, as seen in its structure, make a liquid more viscous. Also, as the temperature is
increased, the viscosity decreases. This makes the two properties indirectly proportional. The
relationship of the viscosity and the solute concentration, on the other hand, is directly
proportional. This, therefore, showed that viscosity of liquids is affected by many properties. In
determining the viscosity of the liquid, one must know how to properly handle the apparatus to
be used. The use of Ostwald viscometer should be known because improper handling of the
said apparatus might cause it to break. The viscosity of a liquid, when Ostwald viscometer is
used, is determined by the time it took for the liquid to flow from the upper mark to the lower
mark in the bulb. Also, the viscosity of liquids is affected by many factors. The intermolecular
forces of attraction, for example, makes the viscosity of the liquid higher when strong forces in
the molecules are present, causing it not to broken easily. The concentration of solute also
affects the viscosity. As the solute concentration increases, it makes it harder for the molecules
to be broken, making it more viscous. The increase on temperature, however, makes the bonds
untangled and therefore would make the liquid flow easily. Generally, the viscosity of a liquid
depends on how tangled the molecules and the bonds present are. The bonds should be broken
so that the liquid will flow easily and will then make it less viscous.

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