EXPERIMENT NO.

FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

I. INTRODUCTION
Commercial Falling Sphere viscometers are non-available. One type of
which is shown on the sketch. The one available is not of the commercial type.
This viscometer makes use of the principles in case of flow around a small
sphere.
For laminar flow vd/2 1 in which d is the diameter of the sphere. The
friction or the deformation drag F d of the sphere moving at a constant velocity
V through a fluid of infinite extend is given by Stokes Law with the following
assumptions:
1. The particle must be sphere.
2. The surface of the particle must be smooth.
3. The resistance to fall or drag force Fd is due to the viscosity of the
fluid.
4. The terminal velocity must be constant.

Fd = 3 Vt d -------------------------------------------------- (1)

A free body diagram of the sphere after it has acquired constant velocity
or terminal velocity is shown on the sketch where W is the weight of the
sphere. Fb is the buoyant force and Fd is the deformation drag.

Fd + Fb W = 0 ------------------------------------------------- (2)

Or 3Vd + d3L/6 d3S/6 = 0 ------------------------------ (3)

 Solving for :

d 2 ( S L )
= ------------------------------------------------ (4)
18 V

Equation (4) has to be corrected in actual practice because the extent of

the fluid is not infinite and the influence of boundary proximity on the sphere is
large. The correction is usually affected by multiplying the observed velocity of
fall Vs by a certain constant K which is a function of d/D m the diameter of the
sphere and the medium ratio, such that

V = Vs K ---------------------------------------------------------- (5)

where:

K = 1 + 9d/4Dm + (9d/4Dm)2

The equation for viscosity then becomes

d 2 ( S L )
=
18 V S K

For which viscosity can be computed.

II. OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the viscosity of a certain
fluid.

III. SKETCH OF APPARATUS

fluid. It only measures under one

flow condition.

Viscometer it is an instrument
used to measure the viscosity of a
Hydrometer it is an instrument for Stopwatch it is a handheld
determining the specific gravity of a timepiece designed to measure

liquid commonly consisting of a the amount of time elapsed from a

particular time.
graduated tube weighted to float
upright in the liquid.

Caliper an instrument for measuring

external or internal dimensions,
Thermometer - an instrument used
having two hinged legs resembling a
for measuring temperature or
pair of compasses and in-turned or
temperature gradient.
out-turned points.

Steel balls Balls that are made of

steel which were used in the
experiment.

IV. LABORATORY PROCEDURE

Determine the temperature and specific gravity of the liquid whose

viscosity is desired. Drop cautiously one of the spheres noting whether the
 V.
RESULTS

TRIAL
Y (m) t (sec) Vs (m/s) d (m) Dm (m) d/ Dm k V (m/s) V (m2/s)
NO.
(Pa-s)

1 1 2.70 0.370 7.93x10-3 0.0931 0.085 1.228 0.454 0.493 3.912x10-4

2 1 7.16 0.140 3.99x10-3 0.0931 0.043 1.106 0.155 0.366 2.905x10-4

3 1 10.31 0.097 3.15x10-3 0.0931 0.034 1.031 0.100 0.354 2.810x10-4

4 1 11.17 0.089 2.99x10-3 0.0931 0.032 1.029 0.092 0.348 2.762x10-4

sphere to travel a certain distance. Repeat the procedure for each sphere.
sphere is guided correctly or is off-center. Determine the time required for the
VI. SAMPLE COMPUTATION

Given:

y=1 m d=0.00793 m

t=2.70 s D=0.0931 m

Solution:

Trial 1:
 y 1m
V s= = = 0.370 m/s
t 2.70 s

d ( 0.00793 )
= = 0.085
D m ( 0.0931 )
2
9d 2 9 ( 0.00793 ) 9 ( 0.00793 )
k =1+
9d
+ ( )
4 Dm 4 D m
=1+
4 ( 0.0931 )
+ (
4 ( 0.0931 ) ) = 1.228

V =V sk =0.370 m/s1.228 = 0.454 m/s

2
d ( s L ) (0.00793)2 ( 7651812360.6 )
= = = 0.493 Pa-s
18 V s K 18(0.370)(1.228)

0.493
v= = = 3.912 x 10-4 m2/s
1260

VII. CONCLUSION
Viscosity is a measure of a fluids resistance to flow. It defines the inner
friction of a fluid which is in motion. Furthermore, a fluid with large viscosity
resists motion because its molecular makeup gives a lot of internal friction. On
the other hand, a fluid with low viscosity flows easily because its molecular
makeup results in a smaller friction value when it is in motion. In this
experiment, we need to determine the viscosity of a certain fluid including the
ratio of the given diameters, correction constant, velocity of fall and the
dynamic viscosity.
The ratio of the spheres diameter to the diameter of medium is obviously
dependent on the two diameters. However, as the diameter of the sphere
increases in which the diameter of the medium has a constant value will result
to an increase in the ratio. Therefore, the relationship between the ratio of the
diameters and the spheres diameter is directly proportional. In addition, the
bigger the value of the diameter of the sphere will have a higher value in its
velocity due to the spheres weight. For calculating the viscosity of a liquid, we
need the dynamic viscosity and the mass density of the liquid. Having a
constant value of the mass density of the liquid, as the dynamic viscosity
increases the kinematic viscosity will increase also. Thus, kinematic viscosity is
directly proportional to the dynamic viscosity.

Possible error that can be obtained in this experiment is human error.

Human error can include the inaccuracy of measuring the time as it passes
through the one-meter distance in the fluid. With the help of the group, it must
be observed properly to record and calculate a correct data. In addition,
calculations can also be included in human error. Incorrect computations can
lead to a higher percentage error.
VIII. APPLICATION TO ENGINEERING
Knowing the concepts and principles of viscosity are essential for
engineers. Its use is to measure the resistance of a particular fluid to shear
stress and to know how fluids work under a certain conditions. Determining the
viscosity of a fluid gives the manufacturers an important product dimension. In
addition, viscosity helps the engineers to understand the fluids that is being
handled to us and we are working with so that we can know how they are acting
or behaving in the environment and to force them to change its behaviour
according to our requirements and desires. Furthermore, engineers are
frequently designing and building devices that is being accompanied by fluids
which includes its transportation, for lubrication and other mechanisms that
involves fluids. Thus, understanding the viscosity of a fluid will help the
engineers to choose the finest fluid that will operate their designs at the same
time will not harm the environment

IX. REFERENCE
A. Uy, F. A., Tan, F., & Monjardin, C. E. (2015). Laboratory Manual in Fluid
Mechanics.
B. http://dictionary.com/browse
C. https://www.princeton.edu/-gasdyn/Research/T-
C_Research_Folder/Viscosity_def.html
D. https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_surg_lesson03
E. www.brookfieldengineering.com/education.asp