TUTORIAL

WEEK 3

2.1 NEWTON’S LAW OF VISCOSITY (MOLECULAR MOMENTUM TRANSPORT)

2.2 GENERALIZATION OF NEWTON’S LAW OF VISCOSITY
 QUESTION 1

A Newtonian fluid with a viscosity of 0.001 kgm-1s-1 is placed between two large
parallel plates as shown in Figure 1. The distance between the plates is 4 mm. The
lower plate is pulled in the positive x-direction with a force of 0.5 N, while the
upper plate is pulled in the negative x-direction with a force of 2 N. Each plate has
an area of 2.5 m2. If the velocity of the lower plate is 0.1 m/s, calculate:

(a) The steady state momentum flux

(b) The velocity of the upper plate.
(c) The velocity gradient
 QUESTION 1

Figure 1: A Newtonian fluid between 2 parallel plat

SOLUTION QUESTION 1(a)
SOLUTION QUESTION 1 (B) & (C)
QUESTION 2

There are two plates some distance apart. Between the

plate, water used is 24°C. The lower plate being pulled at
a constant velocity at 0.4 m/s faster relative to the top
plate. How far apart should the two plates be place so
that the shear stress τ = 0.3 N/m2. Calculate the shear
rate.
 SOLUTION QUESTION 2

Step 1: Analyze the question and extract given

information

Analyze from
the question
SOLUTION QUESTION 2

Step 2: Applying the Newton’s law of viscosity to determine the distance

between 2 plates

Step 3: Determine the shear rate.

Thus, shear rate;

QUESTION 3

The distance between two parallel plates is 0.00914 m

and the lower plate is pulled at a constant velocity 0.366
m/s faster relative to the top plate. The fluid filled
between the plates is glycerol at 293 K having viscosity
1.069 kg/m.s. Calculate the shear stress and shear rate.
 SOLUTION QUESTION 3

Step 1: Analyze the question and extract given

information

Analyze from
the question
SOLUTION QUESTION 3

Step 2: Applying the Newton’s law of viscosity to

determine shear stress
Step 3: Determine the shear rate.