Study Unit Code: MEC 2340

Study Unit Name: Fluid Mechanics I

Academic Year and Semester: 2023/24 – Semester 1
Method of Assessment: Lab Report
Coursework Name: The Falling Sphere Viscometer
Lab sheet Number: MEC-2340-2-TS/4
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Intended Mode(s) of Feedback: Oral ☐
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1. OBJECTIVE

To find the viscosity of a certain type of oil by timing the fall of a small steel ball sinking in oil.

2. APPARATUS

Oil, steel balls, measuring cylinder

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LAB SHEET LAB SHEET TITLE

MEC-2340-2-TS/4 THE FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

3. HEALTH AND SAFETY

• The University health and safety policy should be followed. Furthermore, students are
expected to adhere to all health and safety guidelines of the Department of Mechanical
Engineering.

• Students should wear the following Personal Safety Equipment when undertaking this
experiment:
• Lab coat
• Safety shoes
• Safety glasses

• Make sure that the oil container is stable to avoid spillage.

4. THEORY

Since the steel ball sinks at the terminal velocity, 𝑉 (i.e. no

acceleration), the forces acting on it balance out (see
adjoining figure).

Therefore, the Weight (𝑊) acting downwards is balanced by

the Upthrust (𝑈) and by the Drag (𝐷).

𝑊 =𝑈+𝐷 [1]

The Drag on the steel ball may be found using the Stokes’ formula*:
𝐷 =3𝜋𝜇𝑉𝑑 [2]
where:
𝜇 is the dynamic, or absolute viscosity, of the oil [𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 𝑠].

Thus, given that the volume of a sphere is:

𝜋 𝑑3
[3]
6
we can arrange Eq. [2] as follows:
𝜋 𝑑3 𝜋 𝑑3
𝜌𝑠 𝑔 = 𝜌𝑜 𝑔 + 3 𝜋 𝜇 𝑉 𝑑 [4]
6 6
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LAB SHEET LAB SHEET TITLE

MEC-2340-2-TS/4 THE FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

where:
𝑔 is the acceleration due to gravity [𝑚 𝑠 −2 ].

Determine the absolute viscosity of the oil 𝜇 for the recorded fluid temperature.

Using Eq. (4) show that the units of 𝜇 are indeed 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 𝑠.

Using a suitable reference source, determine the documented viscosity value for CASTROL
Magna 320.

*NOTE:
Stokes’ formula for Drag as given in Eq. [2] will only apply if the Reynolds number 𝑅𝑒 is less
than 0.1.
After finding the oil’s viscosity, check the 𝑅𝑒 value to make sure that it was indeed less than 0.1.
If it turns out that 𝑅𝑒 ≫ 0.1 then Stokes’ formula will not apply.

5. PROCEDURE

a) Use a small micrometer screw gauge to measure the diameter 𝑑 of a small steel ball.
Weigh the steel ball on the provided balance.
Repeat this process for all three identical three steel balls.
Calculate the density of the steel, 𝜌𝑠 .
Find an average value of 𝜌𝑠 from your measurements.

Repeat this process for the two remaining sets of steel ball.

b) Weigh the small empty measuring beaker on the balance provided.

By means of a syringe, extract a measurable quantity of oil from the large measuring cylinder
and place it in the small measuring beaker.
Weight the small measuring beaker now containing the oil.
Compute the density of the oil, 𝜌𝑜 .

c) Using the ruler provided, measure and record the vertical distance between two marks on the
large measuring cylinder (a rubber O-ring is provided to allow you to set the upper mark on
the cylinder).

d) Release the first of the steel balls and allow it to fall through the oil.
Start timing the steel ball once past the upper mark on the large beaker until it reaches the
lower mark on the large beaker.

Repeat the steps in (d) above for the remaining two steel balls in the set.

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LAB SHEET LAB SHEET TITLE

MEC-2340-2-TS/4 THE FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

Calculate the ball’s sinking velocity 𝑉 based on the average time taken by the three identical
steel balls.

Repeat the steps in (d) for the two remaining sets of steel balls.

e) Measure and record the temperature of the oil.

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