EXPERIMENT 06

AIM

AN
To determine the coefficient of viscosity of a given liquid by measuring the terminal
velocity of a spherical body.

PRACTICAL OUTCOMES

T
PA
Use Stoke’s law to determine the viscosity of a given liquid.

ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES

C,
On performing this experiment, student will be able to,

 Choose proper Unit System for an object of interest.

NI
 Name the different parts of measuring instrument.

 Find the least count of the given measuring instrument.

CH
 Understand the concept of terminal velocity and calculate the terminal velocity.

 Determine the viscosity of a given liquid.

TE

APPRATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

LY

A wide bore tube of transparent glass/acrylic (approximately 1.25 m long and 4 cm

diameter), a short inlet tube of about 10 cm length and 1 cm diameter (or a funnel
with an opening of 1 cm), steel balls of known diameters between 1.0 mm to 3 mm,
transparent viscous liquid (castor oil/glycerin), laboratory stand, forceps, rubber
PO

bands, two rubber stoppers (one with a hole), a thermometer (0-50 °C), and meter
scale.

PRINCIPLE
D.

When a spherical body of radius r and density

𝜎𝜎 falls freely through a viscous liquid of density 𝜌𝜌
and viscosity 𝜂𝜂, with terminal velocity 𝜐𝜐, then the
K.

sum of the upward buoyant force and viscous

drag, force F, is balanced by the downward
weight of the ball
𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏
+ 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
4 3 4
π𝑟𝑟 𝜎𝜎𝜎𝜎 = π𝑟𝑟 3 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌 + 6𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
3 3

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 1
 4 3
π𝑟𝑟 (𝜎𝜎 − 𝜌𝜌)𝑔𝑔
∴ 𝜐𝜐 = 3
6𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
2 𝑟𝑟 2 (𝜎𝜎 − 𝜌𝜌)𝑔𝑔
∴ 𝜐𝜐 =

AN
9 𝜂𝜂
where 𝜐𝜐 is the terminal velocity, the constant velocity acquired by a body while
moving through viscous fluid under application of constant force.
The terminal velocity depends directly on the square of the size (diameter) of the
spherical ball. Therefore, if several spherical balls of different radii are made to

T
fall freely through the viscous liquid then a plot of 𝜐𝜐 → 𝑟𝑟 2 would be a straight line

PA
as illustrated in figure.
𝜐𝜐
The shape of this line will give an average value of 2 which may be used to find
𝑟𝑟
the coefficient of viscosity 𝜂𝜂 of the given liquid. Thus,
2 𝑟𝑟 2 (𝜎𝜎 − 𝜌𝜌)𝑔𝑔
∴ 𝜂𝜂 =
9 𝜐𝜐

C,
2 𝑟𝑟 2
∴ 𝜂𝜂 = (𝜎𝜎 − 𝜌𝜌)𝑔𝑔 ×
9 𝜐𝜐
2 1

NI
∴ 𝜂𝜂 = (𝜎𝜎 − 𝜌𝜌)𝑔𝑔 ×
9 (𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝜐𝜐 → 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔ℎ)
The relation given by above equation holds good
if the liquid through which the spherical body
CH
falls freely is in a cylindrical vessel of radius 𝑅𝑅 >
> 𝑟𝑟 and the height of the cylinder is sufficient
enough to let the ball attain terminal velocity. At
the same time the ball should not come in
contact with the walls of the vessel.
TE

PROCEDURE
LY

1. Find the least count of the stop-watch.

2. Note the room temperature, using a thermometer.
3. Take a wide bore tube of transparent glass/acrylic (of diameter about 4 cm
PO

and of length approximately1.25 m). Fit a rubber stopper at one end of the
wide tube and ensure that it is airtight. Fill it with the given transparent
viscous liquid (say glycerin). Fix the tube vertically in the clamp stand as
shown in figure. Ensure that there is no air bubble inside the viscous liquid
in the wide bore tube.
D.

4. Put three rubber bands A, B, and C around the wide bore tube dividing it into
four portions, such that AB = BC, each about 30 cm. The rubber band A
should be around 40 cm below the mouth of the wide bore tube (length
K.

sufficient to allow the ball to attain terminal velocity).

5. Separate a set of clean and dry steel balls of different radii. The set should
include four or five identical steel balls of same known radii (r1). Rinse these
balls thoroughly with the experimental viscous liquid (glycerin) in a Petri dish
or a watch glass. Otherwise, these balls may develop air bubble(s) on their
surfaces as they enter the liquid column.

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 2
 6. Fix a short inlet tube vertically at the open end of the wide tube through a
rubber stopper fixed to it. Alternately one can also use a glass funnel instead
of an inlet tube as shown in figure. With the help of forceps hold one of the
balls of radius 𝑟𝑟1 near the top of

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tube. Allow the ball to fall freely.
The ball, after passing through the
inlet tube, will fall along the axis of

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the liquid column.
7. Take two stop watches and start
both of them simultaneously as the

PA
spherical ball passes through the
rubber band A. Stop one the
watches as the ball passes through
the band B. Allow the second stop-
watch to continue and stop it when

C,
the ball crosses the band C.
8. Note the times 𝑡𝑡1 and 𝑡𝑡2 as indicated

NI
by the two stop watches, 𝑡𝑡1 is then
the time taken by the falling ball to
travel from A to B and 𝑡𝑡2 is the time
taken by it in falling from A to C. If
terminal velocity had been attained
CH
before the ball crosses A, then 𝑡𝑡2 =
2𝑡𝑡1 . If it is not so, repeat the
experiment with steel ball of same radii after adjusting the positions of
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rubber bands.
9. Repeat the experiment for other balls of different diameters.
10. Obtain terminal velocity for each ball.
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11. Plot a graph between terminal velocity 𝜐𝜐 and square of the radius of spherical
ball, 𝑟𝑟 2 . It should be a straight line. Find the slope of the line and hence
determine the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid using the relation given by
PO

the equation of viscosity.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATION

1) Temperature of experimental liquid (glycerin) 𝜃𝜃 = _______℃
D.

2) Density of material of steel balls 𝜎𝜎 = ___________ g ∙ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐−3

3) Density of the viscous liquid used in the tube 𝜌𝜌 = ___________ g ∙ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐−3

K.

4) Internal diameter of the wide bore tube 𝐷𝐷 = ________ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

Radius of wide bore tube 𝑅𝑅 = ________𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

5) Length of wide bore tube 𝑙𝑙 = _______ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 3
 6) Distance between A and B ℎ1 = _______ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

7) Distance between B and C ℎ2 = _______ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

8) Average distance h between two consecutive rubber bands ℎ = _______ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

N
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
9) Acceleration due to gravity at the place of experiment, g = _______

TA
𝑠𝑠2

10) Least count of stop-watch 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 = ______ 𝑠𝑠

2 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑔𝑔(𝜎𝜎−𝜌𝜌)
11) Formula for coefficient of viscosity 𝜂𝜂 =

PA
9 𝑣𝑣𝑡𝑡

Table E 13.1: Measurement of time of fall of steel balls

Diameter of
Corrected
spherical Time taken for covering distance Terminal Coefficient

C,
ℎ = _____ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 between rubber bands value
balls Velocity of
Sr.
𝑣𝑣𝑡𝑡
Mean time 𝜐𝜐 =
ℎ
No 𝑟𝑟 Viscosity

NI
𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑡𝑡1 𝑡𝑡2 𝑡𝑡3 𝑡𝑡1 + 𝑡𝑡2 + 𝑡𝑡3 = 𝑣𝑣 �1 + 2.4 �
2 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑅𝑅 𝜂𝜂 (𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)
3 (cm/s)
(cm) (s) (s) (s) (cm/s)
(𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐)
(𝑠𝑠)
CH
1

2
TE

4
LY

CALCULATION
PO

Average value of 𝜂𝜂 = ____________𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝

RESULT
The coefficient of viscosity of the given viscous liquid 𝜂𝜂 = _________𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
D.

PPRECAUTIONS AND SOURCES OF ERROR

1) In order to minimize the effects, although small, on the value of terminal
K.

velocity (more precisely on the value of viscous drag, force F), the radius
of the wide bore tube containing the experimental viscous liquid should
be much larger than the radius of the falling spherical balls.
2) The steel balls should fall without touching the sides of the tube.
3) The ball should be dropped gently in the tube containing viscous/ liquid.

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 4
DISCUSSION
1) Ensure that the ball is spherical. Otherwise, formula used for terminal
velocity will not be valid.

N
2) Motion of falling ball must be translational.
3) Diameter of the wide bore tube should be much larger than that of the

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spherical ball.

SELF ASSESMENT

PA
1) Do all the raindrops strike the ground with the same velocity irrespective
of their size?
2) Is Stokes’ law applicable to body of shapes other than spherical?

C,
3) What is the effect of temperature on coefficient of viscosity of a liquid?

SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL EXPERIMENTS/ACTIVITIES

NI
1) Value of 𝜂𝜂 can be calculated for steel balls of different radii and compared
with that obtained from the experiment.
CH
2) To find viscosity of mustard oil [Hint: Set up the apparatus and use
mustard oil instead of glycerin in the wide bore tube].
3) To check purity of milk [Hint: Use mustard oil in the tall tube. Take an
eye dropper, fill milk in it. Drop one drop of milk in the oil at the top of
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the wide bore tube and find its terminal velocity. Use the knowledge of
coefficient of viscosity of mustard oil to calculate the density of milk].
4) Study the effect of viscosity of water on the time of rise of air bubble
[Hint: Use the bubble maker used in an aquarium. Place it in the wide
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bore tube. Find the terminal velocity of rising air bubble].

VIVA VOCE
PO

1. Which of the following represents viscosity?

a) Potential energy stored in fluid
b) Resistance to fluid motion
c) Roughness of the surface
d) The pressure difference between the two fluids
D.

2. What is the SI unit of viscosity?

a) Candela
b) Poise
K.

c) Newton/m
d) Unitless
3. What happens to the viscosity of liquid with the increase in temperature?
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It may increase or decrease
d) No change

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 5
 4. Which of the following represents viscosity?
a) Potential energy stored in fluid
b) Resistance to fluid motion
c) Roughness of the surface

N
d) The pressure difference between the two fluids
5. Which of these fluids has the highest viscosity?
a) Water

TA
b) Honey
c) Blood
d) Air
6. What happens to the viscosity of liquid with the increase in temperature?

PA
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It may increase or decrease
d) No change
7. What do we call the maximum velocity of a fluid in a tube for which the flow

C,
remains streamlined?
a) Hyper velocity
b) critical velocity

NI
c) Stream velocity
d) Laminar velocity
8. Which of these ratios gives the value of viscosity of fluid?
CH
a) Ratio of the shearing stress to the weight of the fluid
b) Ratio of the shearing stress to the density of the fluid
c) Ratio of the velocity gradient and shearing stress
d) The ratio of the shearing stress to the velocity gradient
9. The viscosity of liquid
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a) Increases with increase in temperature

b) Decreases with increase in temperature
c) Decreases with decrease in temperature
d) Remains constant regardless of any change in the temperature
10. Which one of the following affects the efficiency of oil transportation through
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pipeline?
a) Surface Tension
b) Stress
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c) Viscosity
d) Strain
11. What is the relation between the viscosities of blood and water?
a) Both are equal.
b) Water is more viscous than blood.
c) Blood is more viscous than water.
D.

d) They cannot be compared.

12. Fluids offer resistance to motion due to internal friction, this property is called?
a) viscosity
K.

b) buoyancy
c) specific gravity
d) continuity
13. Which of the following is correct about viscosity?
a) It occurs only in liquids
b) It supports fluid flow
c) It occurs in solids
d) None of the above

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 6
 14. Which one of the following affects the efficiency of oil transportation through
pipeline?
a) Surface Tension
b) Stress
c) Viscosity

N
d) Strain
15. The terminal velocity of a spherical ball of radius r falling in a viscous liquid is

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proportional to
a) r
b) r2
c) r3

PA
d) r4
16. Water flows between two plates of which the upper one is stationary and the lower
one is moving with a velocity V. What will be the velocity of the fluid in contact with
the upper plate?
a) V

C,
b) N ⁄ 2
c) 2V
d) 0
17. The viscous force the relative motion between the adjacent layers of a fluid in

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motion. Which one of the flowing fits best in the sentence?
a) Opposes
b) never affects CH
c) facilitates
d) may affect under certain conditions
18. The viscosity of a fluid in motion is 1 Poise. What will be it’s viscosity (in Poise)
when the fluid is at rest?
a) 0
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b) 0.5
c) 1
d) 2
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ASSESMENT SCHEME
Sr. Performance Indicators for the Practical Weightage in Total Marks Marks
PO

No. Outcomes % Obtained

1 Prepare of experimental setup 20 2
2 Operate the equipment setup or circuit 20 2
3 Follow safe practices measures 10 1
D.

4 Record observations correctly 20 2

5 Interpret the result and conclude 30 3
K.

TOTAL 100 10

Signature of Teacher: __________________

Experiment – 06 Viscosity 7