Name: Bullecer, Norton T.

Rating: __________
Course & Year: BSCE – 3
Subject: CE321BLY
Laboratory Class Schedule: Wed 1:30-4:30pm Instructor: Engr. Alex H. Melchor

Experiment No. 2
Determination of Fluid Viscosity

Objective

To determine the viscosity of each of the different liquids. To evaluate whether the present
experimental set up could illustrate Stoke’s Law. To observe the behaviour of the sphere as it
travels in the liquid column.

Equipment/Apparatus and Materials

Falling Sphere Apparatus

Spherical ball
Digital balance
Vernier caliper
Measuring tape
Stopwatch
Different liquids (water, oil, glycerine)
Thermometer

Theory

Viscosity is the measure of fluid’s resistance to shear or angular

deformation. Due to its viscosity the fluid can offer shearing resistance which is
proportional to the rate of strain. Mathematically the shear stress and viscosity are
related as
𝑑𝑉
𝜏 = 𝜇 𝑑𝑦 (1)
where: τ = shear stress
μ = viscosity
dV/dy = time rate of strain

Let us consider a sphere that is made to fall in a column of liquid as shown

in Figure 2.1.
The forces acting on the sphere are its own weight, W, buoyant force, BF,
and drag force, FD. These forces are expressed as follows:
4
𝑊 = 𝛾𝑠 𝑉𝑜𝑙 = 𝛾𝑠 3 𝜋𝑅 3 (2)

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 4
𝐵𝐹 = 𝛾𝐿 𝑉𝑜𝑙 = 𝛾𝐿 3 𝜋𝑅 3 (3)
𝑉2
𝐹𝑑 = 𝐶𝑑 𝜌𝐴 (4)
2

The drag coefficient for a sphere was found out by G. Stokes (1851) as
24
𝐶𝑑 = 𝑅 (5)
𝑒
𝜌𝐷𝑉
where: 𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
Combining Eqs. 4, 5 and 6, we can have
24
𝐹𝑑 = 𝜌(𝜋𝑅2 )(𝑉 2 /2)
(𝜌𝐷𝑉⁄𝜇)
𝐹𝑑 = 6𝜇𝜋𝑅𝑉 (7)

Summing up forces acting on the sphere and equate to zero, we obtain

4 3 4
𝜋𝑅 𝛾𝑠 = 𝜋𝑅 3 𝛾𝐿 + 6𝜇𝜋𝑅𝑉
3 3

2𝑅 2
𝜇= (𝛾𝑠 − 𝛾𝐿 ) (8)
9𝑉
Where: R = radius of sphere
V = terminal velocity of the sphere
γs = specific weight of spherical ball (Weight/Volume)
γL = specific weight of liquid (sg * unit weight of water)

Procedure

1. The diameter of the sphere was measured using a Vernier caliper.

2. The spherical ball was weighed.
3. A falling distance was established by marking two end points A and B on the wall of
the falling sphere apparatus. The initial point (point A) was made sure not to be too
close to the liquid surface.
4. The distance between these points was measured using meter stick.
5. The temperature of the liquid in the falling sphere apparatus was determined.
6. The sphere at the liquid surface of the falling sphere apparatus was released and the
time needed by the spherical ball to traverse the distance from point A to point B was
noted. Three trials were done.

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Results
Mass Time
Diameter Viscosity
of Temperature Trial Distance of Velcoity
of sphere Liquid (refer to
sphere (°C) No. AB (m) travel (m/s)
(m) eq. 8)
(g) (sec)
0.0141 3.8 29° Water 1 0.788 0.90 0.876 0.197
0.0141 3.8 29° 2 0.788 0.77 1.02 0.169
0.0141 3.8 29° 3 0.788 0.88 0.89 0.193
0.0141 3.8 29° Oil 1 0.627 2.09 0.30 0.646
0.0141 3.8 29° 2 0.627 1.98 0.32 0.606
0.0141 3.8 29° 3 0.627 2.05 0.31 0.625
0.0141 3.8 29° Glycerine 1 0.765 1.26 0.61 0.236
0.0141 3.8 29° 2 0.765 1.40 0.55 0.262
0.0141 3.8 29° 3 0.765 1.39 0.55 0.262

Computations

Equations:

𝑑
𝑉=
𝑡
0.788
Water: V1= = 0.876𝑚⁄𝑠
0.90
0.788
V2= = 1.02𝑚⁄𝑠
0.77
0.788
V3= = 0.89𝑚⁄𝑠
0.88
0.627
Oil: V1= = 0.30𝑚⁄𝑠
2.09
0.627
V2= = 0.32𝑚⁄𝑠
1.98
0.627
V3= =0.31𝑚⁄𝑠
2.05
0.765
Glycerine: V1= =0.61𝑚⁄𝑠
1.26
0.765
V2= =0.55𝑚⁄𝑠
1.40
0.765
V3= =0.55𝑚⁄𝑠
1.39

2𝑅2
𝜇= (𝛾 − 𝛾𝐿 )
9𝑉 𝑠

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WATER
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T1 𝜇= 2
( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 1.0(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 ))
9(0.876𝑚⁄𝑠) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.197 N*s/m2
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔( )(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
− 1.0(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 ))
2 1000𝑔
T2 𝜇= ( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
9(1.02𝑚⁄𝑠) 𝜋( ) 𝑚
3 2
μ = 0.169 N*s/m 2

0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T3 𝜇= 2
( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 1.0(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 ))
9(0.89𝑚⁄𝑠) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.193 N*s/m2

GLYCERINE
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T1 𝜇= 2
( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 1.26(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 ))
9(0.61𝑚/𝑠) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.236 N*s/m2
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔( )(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
− 1.26(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 ))
2 1000𝑔
T2 𝜇= ( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
9(0.55𝑚/𝑠) 𝜋( ) 𝑚
3 2
μ = 0.262 N*s/m2
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T3 𝜇= 2
( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 1.26(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 ))
9(0.55𝑚/𝑠) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.262 N*s/m2

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OIL
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T1 𝜇= 2
0.300𝑚 ( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 0.8(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 )
9(
𝑠
) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.646 N*s/m2
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T2 𝜇= 2
0.320𝑚 ( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 0.8(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 )
9( 𝑠 ) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.606 N*s/m2
0.0141𝑚 2 1𝑘𝑔
2( ) 3.8𝑔(1000𝑔)(9.81𝑚⁄𝑠2 )
T3 𝜇= 2
0.310𝑚 ( 4 0.0141𝑚 3
− 0.8(9810 𝑁⁄ 3 )
9( 𝑠 ) 𝜋( 2 ) 𝑚
3
μ = 0.625 N*s/m2

Discussion of Results
Summary of Liquid Viscosities Obtained and Their Corresponding Differences to Literature
Values
Viscosity
Liquid
Obtained Average Literature Value
0.197
Water
0.169 0.186 0.8145
(29°C)
0.193
0.646
Oil (29°C) 0.606 0.626 0.2015
0.625
0.236
Glycerin
0.262 0.253 0.8913
(29°C)
0.262

The results show that the average experimental values have clear differences to its
hypothetical value for viscosities of the liquids at a certain temperature. Although the experimental
values may be a little far from the literature values, the data didn't violate Stokes law.

One of the factors of these errors may be because of the human reaction time which may
cause a delay in timing the ball as it passses from point A to B, since the ball falls at high velocities
making it impossible to time the drop precisely.

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Conclusions and Recommendations

The viscosity of a certain liquid in the experiment was determined by getting a tabulated
data of the radius, velocity, mass, and volume of the sphere and the specific weight of the liquid
at each trial. The viscosity of the liquid can now be calculated by substituting the given values into
the formulas of dynamic equilibrium using drag, buoyant force and weight on the ball. The
viscosity of liquids are different from another. The ball would fall slower in more viscous liquid
such as oil in the experiment. Although, the results were far from the hypothetical value, the results
didn't violate Stoke's law.
The behavior of the ball falling down the liquid was very unusual. Instead of falling
normally vertically downward, the ball would fall randomly sideways as it descends to the bottom.
This would happen as the sphere was dropped to the more viscous liquids. The viscosity of the
liquid may affect the descent of the sphere. The more viscous the liquid is, the more likely the
sphere will descend unusually.

Documentation

Measuring the temperature Dropping the sphere Measuring the sphere's mass
of glycerine in water

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