MAPÚA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
VISCOSITY

5
NAME: CATAPANG, JAMIEL S. Date of Performance: September 7, 2020
ME139L-2 – A4 Date of Submission: September 14, 2020
STUDENT No. - 2016142388

Engr. Teodulo A. Valle

Instructor

GRADE
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

OBJECTIVES 1
THEORY AND PRINCIPLE 1
LIST OF APPARATUS 3
PROCEDURES 4
SET-UP OF APPARATUS 6
FINAL DATA SHEET 7
SAMPLE COMPUTATION 8
TEST DATA ANALYSIS 10
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTIONS 11
CONCLUSION 13
REFERENCES 14

i
OBJECTIVE:
1. To be able to determine the viscosity of glycerin using a Falling Sphere Viscometer
THEORY AND PRINCIPLE:
In general, viscosity (v) is the property of a homogeneous fluid which causes it to offer
resistance to motion. In the case of a liquid, viscosity is a measure of relative fluidity at some
definite temperature. This property may be measures in several ways, for example (1) by the torque
required to rotate a cylinder or cup in the liquid, as in the Mac-Michael and Stormer instruments
used for oils and viscous liquids; (2) by the time required for a sphere (usually a steel ball) to fall
through the liquid, as in the Gardner Holdt instrument used for paints and other highly viscous
liquids; or (3) by the time required for the liquid to flow through a capillary or a short tube as the
Saybolt, Engler, and Redwood viscometer used for petroleum oils.
In addition to this, there are numerous processes and methods to measure and calculate the
viscosity of fluids. There are predominantly in basis with three phenomena. First is a moving
surface, which is in contact with the fluid. Second is an object moving past a flowing substance.
The last one is a substance flowing by way of a resistive component. These occurrences make use
of the three major viscometers in the industry. Those are the rotating viscometer, a capillary
viscometer, and a falling ball (or sphere) viscometer.
In a rotating viscometer, it is designed to measure a flowing substance’s viscosity by
analyzing and checking the torque required to rotate a spindle submerged in a fluid at a constant
speed. The simultaneous rotation of the spindle helps and ensures calculations are determined and
made over the time. Also, it allow the process of time-dependent fluid analysis. The digital models
of this method can be able to evaluate and assess low, medium and high viscosity materials.
In a capillary viscometer, it is described as a widely used process in measuring the viscosity
of Newtonian fluids. This process is where the test substance is made to flow across a tube that is
made narrowly as a result of applied or hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, capillary measurements
are considered the most accurate way of calculating and determining the viscosity of Newtonian
and also of some non-Newtonian viscous fluids. It is generally simpler in design and less
expensive. Poiseuille's Law is the basis for this method. This law relates the rate of flow through
a capillary to the viscosity of the liquid,.
In the falling sphere viscometer, it mainly measure the viscosity of Newtonian liquids and
gases. This method the liquid is placed in a tall transparent cylinder and a sphere of known weight

1
and diameter is dropped in it. If the sphere is small enough, Stokes’ Law will prevail and the fall
velocity of the sphere will be approximately inversely proportional to the absolute viscosity of the
liquid. That is so may be seen by examining the free-body diagram of such a falling sphere (Figure
1).

FD = 3VD

D 3
FB = 
6

 D3
W =s
6

Figure 1: FBD
The force acting includes the gravity, buoyancy, and drag. Stokes’ law states that if
DV / v  1 , the drag force on a sphere is given by FD = 3VD , where V is the velocity of the
sphere and D is its diameter. When the sphere is dropped in a liquid, it will quickly accelerate to
terminal velocity, at which  Fz = 0 . Then

 D3  D3
W − FB − FD =  s − − 3VD = 0
6 6
Where  s and  represent the specific weight and the sphere and liquid, respectively.

Solving the above equation, we get

D 2 ( s −  )
=
18V
In the preceding development it was assumed that the sphere was dropped into a liquid of
infinite extent. In actuality, the liquid will be contained in a tube and a wall effect will influence
the drag force and hence the fall velocity. It has been found that the wall effect can be expressed
approximately as
2
V 9D  9D 
= 1+ +  = K
Vt 4 Dt  4 Dt 

2
 Where Dt is the tube diameter, and Vt represents the fall velocity in the tube. This equation
is reliable only if Dsb / Dt < 1/3.
From the data obtained from the performance of the experiment, compute the following for each
run:
1. Kinematic Viscosity, υ
a. Ratio of the sphere and tube diameter
b. The correction factor or wall effect K
c. The observe velocity of fall Vo
𝜇
2. Kinematic Viscosity, 𝜐 = 𝜌 Dynamic Viscosity: μ = ρυ

3. Plot V versus D/Dt

LIST OF APPARATUS
Hydrometer Digital Balance Falling Sphere Viscometer

Stop Watch Thermometer

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 Caliper

Steel Ball Meter Stick

PROCEDURES
Falling Sphere Viscometer
1. With the use of a caliper, measure the outside diameter of the steel ball and the inside
diameter of the viscometer tube to be used in this method.
2. Using a digital balance, measure the mass of the steel ball.
3. Designate two (2) rubber bands as your starting point and ending point at the falling sphere
viscometer. These rubber bands will be separated by 80 cm (0.8 m) apart. Measure the
distance made by rubber bands by means of the meterstick.
4. Put the glycerin liquid substance in the viscometer until it meets with the rubber band at
the opening point. Use the hydrometer and drop it in the viscometer filled with glycerin
until it floats. After that, determine the specific gravity of the glycerin whose viscosity is
desired.

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5. Drop cautiously one of the spheres into the viscometer. As it is dropped, start the stopwatch
until the steel ball reaches the endpoint mark (ending rubber band). Before this, note
whether the sphere is guided correctly or is off-centered.
6. Determine the time required for the sphere to travel the distance in #2. Record the time as
soon as it reaches the endpoint.
7. Repeat the procedure for another sphere given. Use four (4) steel balls to accumulate a total
of 4 trials.

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SET-UP OF APPARATUS
FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER
The falling sphere viscometer should be placed in a level platform to prevent the steel ball
from hitting the viscometer. As stated from its principles, every examiner must note that the
diameter ratio of the diameter of the steel ball to the diameter of the viscometer should be less than
1/3. Subsequently, the hydrometer should be perpendicular to the water surface. Lastly, mark the
80 centimeter or 0.8 meter on to the viscometer in order to compute for its velocity.

Determination of Viscosity by Falling Sphere Viscometer

0.8 m

Drop a steel ball onto the falling sphere viscometer. Measure the time elapsed for the ball to
traverse the reference lines.

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FINAL DATA SHEET (TABLE OF DATA)
DETERMINATION OF VISCOSITY BY FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

SG of the Glycerin = 1.27; Length = 80 cm = 0.8 m; Dt = 63.41 mm = 0.06341 m

D (m)
Trial m (kg) γ (kN/m3) t (sec) Vt (m/s)
Steel ball
1 0.0004 69.9277 3.28 0.2439 0.00475
2 0.001 21.7150 1.23 0.6504 0.00952
3 0.0005 87.4097 3.19 0.2508 0.00475
4 0.00086 63.5269 2.37 0.3376 0.00633

D/Dt K Vobs (m/s) μ (Pa - sec) υ (m2/s)

0.07491 1.197 0.29194 0.2467489 0.000194

0.15013 1.452 0.94433 0.04935295 3.89*10-5
0.07491 1.197 0.30018 0.31297915 0.000246
0.09983 1.275 0.4304 0.26412745 0.000208

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SAMPLE COMPUTATION
DETERMINATION OF VISCOSITY BY FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER
*Initial Given:
𝑆𝐺 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑙𝑦𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛 = 1.27; 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 80 𝑐𝑚 = 0.8 𝑚; 𝐷𝑡 = 63.41 𝑚𝑚 = 0.06341 𝑚
𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 ; 𝛾𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 9.81 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3; 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 or 997 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
*For Trial 1,
𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛:
𝑚 = 0.4 𝑔 = 0.0004 𝑘𝑔; 𝑡 = 3.28 𝑠; 𝐷𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 4.75 𝑚𝑚 = 0.00475 𝑚
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑:
𝐷
𝛾 = ? ; 𝑉𝑡 = ? ; = ? ; 𝐾 = ? ; 𝑉𝑜𝑏𝑠 = ? ; 𝜇 = ? ; 𝜈 = ?
𝐷𝑡
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝜸,
𝑚
𝑊 𝑚𝑔 𝑚𝑔 (0.0004 𝑘𝑔) (9.81 2 )
𝛾= = = 𝑠
4 3 =
𝑉 3 4 𝐷
(3 𝜋𝑅𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 ) [ 𝜋 ( 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 ) ] 4 0.00475 𝑚 3
[ 3𝜋(
3 2 ) ]
2
𝑁 1 𝑘𝑁
𝛾 = 69927.74886 3
( ) → 𝜸 = 𝟔𝟗. 𝟗𝟐𝟕𝟕 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟑
𝑚 1000 𝑁
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑽𝒕 ,
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 0.8 𝑚
𝑉𝑡 = = → 𝑽𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟑𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 3.28 𝑠
𝑫
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ,
𝑫𝒕
𝐷 𝐷𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 0.00475 𝑚 𝑫
= = → = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟒𝟗𝟏
𝐷𝑡 𝐷𝑡 0.06341 𝑚 𝑫𝒕
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑲,
2
9𝐷𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 9𝐷𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 2 (9)(0.00475 𝑚) 9(0.00475 𝑚)
𝐾 =1+ +( ) = 1+ +[ ]
4𝐷𝑡 4𝐷𝑡 4(0.06341 𝑚) 4(0.06341 𝑚)
𝑲 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟗𝟕
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑽𝒐𝒃𝒔 ,
𝑚 𝒎
𝑉𝑜𝑏𝑠 = 𝐾𝑉𝑡 = 1.197 (0.2439 ) → 𝑽𝒐𝒃𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟗𝟏𝟗𝟒
𝑠 𝒔

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𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝝁,
𝐷𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 2 (𝛾𝑠 − 𝛾) 𝐷𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 2 (𝛾𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 − 𝛾𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 )
𝜇= = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛾𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 = 𝑆𝐺(𝛾𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 )
18𝑉𝑜𝑏𝑠 18𝑉𝑜𝑏𝑠
𝑘𝑁
(0.00475 𝑚)2 [69.9277 − (1.27)(9.81)] 3
= 𝑚 = 2.467489 × 10−4 𝑘𝑃𝑎 − sec (1000 𝑃𝑎)
𝑚 1 𝑘𝑃𝑎
18 (0.29194 𝑠 )

𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟔𝟕𝟒𝟖𝟗 𝑷𝒂 − 𝒔𝒆𝒄
𝐼𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝝊,
𝜇 𝜇 0.2467489 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝜐= = = → 𝝊 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟒 𝒎𝟐 /𝒔
𝜌𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑆𝐺(𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ) 𝑘𝑔
1.27(1000 3 )
𝑚

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TEST DATA ANALYSIS
In this experiment, with the use of the falling sphere viscometer, the viscosity of glycerin
was determined. Four trials were done with four small steel balls which have different masses:
first is 0.0004 kilogram (kg), second is 0.001 kg, third is 0.0005 kg, and 0.00086 kg. In processing
this, the steel ball was permitted to freely fall into the tube filled with glycerin at a certain distance
during a time interval.
The steel balls of different masses were dropped into the viscometer one by one in order to
determine the initial needed values needed for solving the viscosity of the glycerin. Consequently,
the equations stated were used to calculate the remaining variables and missing data from the table
given by the instructor. As for each of the results, the researcher has observed that the smaller the
steel ball, the longer duration it takes for it to reach the designated mark. With this, there is a direct
relationship between the size of the steel ball and its velocity. As such, with a smaller steel ball,
the lesser velocity or slower speed it acquires from the viscometer. At the same time, the bigger
diameter of the steel ball, the faster it will travel in the tube; thus, the velocity of the ball increases
when the diameter ratio also increases. Also, it was observed that the result of the dynamic
viscosity on each trial is quite close to each other. Lastly, the result of the kinematic viscosity on
each trial is somehow near with each other.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTIONS

1. What is the difference between kinematic and dynamic viscosity?

To introduce, viscosity is a measure of a fluids propensity to flow. There are two kinds of
viscosity commonly reported, kinematic and dynamic.
Dynamic viscosity is the fluid’s resistance to flow when an external force is applied. It is
the relationship between the shear stress and the shear rate in a fluid. On the other hand, kinematic
viscosity is the resistive flow of a fluid under the weight of gravity. It is relationship between
viscous and inertial forces in a fluid.

2. The kinematic viscosity a fluid is 4 × 10-6 m2/s. Calculate the density of fluid if its dynamic
viscosity is 0.003 kg/(m-s).
𝑚2 𝑘𝑔
Given: 𝜐 = 4 × 10−6 ; 𝜇 = 0.003 𝑚−𝑠
𝑠

Solution:
𝑘𝑔
𝜇 𝜇 0.003 𝑚 − 𝑠
𝟑
𝜐= →𝜌= = 2 → 𝝆 = 𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝒈/𝒎
𝜌𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝜐 𝑚
4 × 10−6 𝑠

3. According to the PSME code, what is a viscosity index?

Viscosity index, in accord to the PSME code, is a numbering scale that is arbitrary wherein
it composes of or indicates the changes in oil viscosity with the changes in temperature. In a more
sense, viscosity index has four classifications. They are the low VI which denotes below 35,
medium VI which denotes 35 to 80, high VI which denotes 80 to 110, and very high VI which
denotes above 110. Also, a low viscosity index indicates high changes of viscosity with the
temperature. On the other hand, a high viscosity index specifies small oil viscosity changes with
temperature. Thus, a fluid with high viscosity index (VI) is expected to undergo a small change in
viscosity with extreme temperatures, which in turn, can have a stable viscosity.

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4. The density of an oil is 850 kg/m3. Find the kinematic viscosity if its dynamic viscosity is 5 x
10-3 kg/(m-s).
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
Given: 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 850 𝑚3 ; 𝜐 = 5 × 10−3 𝑚−𝑠

Solution:
𝑘𝑔
𝜇 5 × 10−3 𝑚 − 𝑠
𝜐= = → 𝝊 = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟖𝟐𝟑𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒎𝟐 /𝒔
𝜌𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑘𝑔
850 3
𝑚

5. How does the kinematic viscosity of (a) liquids and (b) gases vary with temperature?
(a) For liquids, its viscosity depends on the cohesive force. Lesser cohesion happens with
a higher temperature. Thus, kinematic viscosity decreases with temperature.
(b) For gases, its viscosity depends on the molecular momentum transfer. With a higher
temperature, more energy possessed by the molecules resulting to a greater momentum of colliding
gas molecules. Thus, kinematic viscosity increases with temperature.

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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the objective of the experiment was successfully met and accomplished.
With the instructor’s guidance and teaching with obtaining the values, the researcher was able to
determine the values needed in determining the viscosity of glycerin using a falling sphere
viscometer.
Based on the results and data gathered, by determining and calculating the viscosity, it can
be stated that the size and diameter of the steel balls are directly proportional with the velocity and
inversely proportional with time. With this, the smaller the diameter, the less velocity and the
longer time the steel ball needs to reach the destination or endpoint. Moreover, the falling sphere
viscometer provides an alternative method in measuring the viscosity of a fluid and other
substances.
The results were as accurate as it seems to be because of the errors occurred while
performing the experiment. The errors that are possibly accumulated are in the surroundings. One
of which is considering the temperature to be constant. Secondly, there might be an error in using
the digital scale and stop watch and measuring the steel balls. Nevertheless, this still provides
estimation of the true values of the viscosity of each of the substances examined.

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REFERENCES

Rotational Viscometer / Rotary Viscometers. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.labcompare.com/Laboratory-Analytical-Instruments/870-Rotational-
Viscometer-Rotary-Viscometers/
Vincent A. Hackley, C. F. (n.d.). Capillary Methods. Retrieved from
https://ciks.cbt.nist.gov/~garbocz/SP946/node13.htm
Monday, O. 2. (n.d.). Measurement of Viscosity in a Vertical Falling Ball Viscometer. Retrieved
from https://www.americanlaboratory.com/913-Technical-Articles/778-Measurement-of-
Viscosity-in-a-Vertical-Falling-Ball-Viscometer/
Engineers Edge, L. (n.d.). Viscosity Index Review. Retrieved from
https://www.engineersedge.com/lubrication/viscosity_index.htm#:~:text=The viscosity
index, commonly designated,very high VI - above 110.
Ranowsky, A. (n.d.). What is the Difference Between Dynamic and Kinematic Viscosity?
Retrieved from https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-scientific-blog/whats-the-difference-
between-dynamic-and-kinematic-viscosity
Viscosity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://neutrium.net/fluid-flow/viscosity/#:~:text=Viscosity is a
measure of,shear rate in a fluid.

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