PHYSICS

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON
VISCOSITY.

Abstract
This science fair project was conducted to find out how
the temperature of a fluid affects its viscosity. The
testing was done by measuring the viscosity of water,
milk and corn oil using a measurement cup at different
temperatures.
Hypothesis
Water has the lowest viscosity and the fastest rate of
flow followed by milk, while corn oil has the highest
viscosity.

Background
Viscosity

Viscosity is the measurement of resistance by a fluid to

deformations caused by tensile stress and shear stress. It is
commonly referred to as the thickness of a fluid. A thick fluid
will have higher viscosity and a thin fluid will have lower
viscosity. Viscosity also refers to internal resistance
experienced by the fluid before it can flow.

The presence of viscosity in a fluid is caused by internal friction

in a substance. Both fluids and gasses are made up of adjacent
layers. When external pressure is applied to a fluid, the friction
that occurs between layers will determine the type of response
and flow that will happen. The measurement of fluidity is the
opposite of viscosity where the lack of fluid resistance is
measured.

The viscosity of a fluid will be affected by its temperature. By

increasing the temperature of a fluid, the viscosity is reduced.
An example is butter, which is solid at room temperature.
When heated, it will melt and the viscosity is lowered.
Similarly, cooking oil will become thicker with a higher viscosity
when kept in a refrigerator.

Scientific Terms
Viscosity, tensile stress, shear stress, friction, fluidity

Materials
The materials required for this science fair project:
- 2 metal cups
- 1 electric drill with small sized drill bits
- 1 bottle of tap water
- 1 bottle of milk
- 1 bottle of corn oil
- 1 hot plate
- 1 thermometer
- 1 stopwatch
- An assistant

Procedure
1. For this experiment, the independent variable is the
type of fluid used (water, milk and corn oil) and
temperature. The dependent variable is the viscosity of
the fluid. This is determined by using a measuring cup
and a stopwatch to measure the flow rate. The
constants (control variables) are the size of the hole in
the cup and the volume of the cup.

2. An electric drill is used to make a small hole at the

bottom of one of the two metal cups.

3. The water is kept at 20°C. The assistant will hold the

cup with the hole over the 2nd cup with one finger
covering the small hole at the bottom of the cup. The
finger should be placed over the hole on the exterior of
the cup. The cup is then filled with water . After the
cup is filled, have a stopwatch ready.
Simultaneously, the assistant removes the finger from
the hole and the stopwatch is started. Water from the
upper cup will fall into the lower cup through the hole.
The time taken for the cup to empty, is recorded.

4. Procedure 3 is repeated 5 times and the average

time is calculated by totaling the 5 measurements and
dividing by 5. The results are recorded in the table
given below.

5. Procedures 3 and 4 are repeated by bringing the

temperature of the water to 30°C, 40°C and 50°C
using the hot plate.

6. Procedures 3, 4 and 5 are repeated using milk and

corn oil.

Observation
It was observed that water had the fastest rate of flow and the
corn oil had the slowest. The flow rate of water, milk and corn
oil increased as the temperature increased.

Adhesive material Viscosity and flow rate of water, milk and corn oil at different temperatures
(seconds)
 20°C 30°C 40°C 50°C

Water 15 12 10 9

Milk 19 15 12 10

Corn oil 97 65 47 35

The graph below represents the results of our project:

Conclusion
The hypothesis that water has the lowest viscosity
and the fastest rate of flow, followed by milk while
corn oil has the highest viscosity, is proven to be true.

The understanding of viscosity and fluid dynamics is

very important when transporting fluids like water,
crude oil or natural gas through pipes over long
distances. Changing climates and different
temperatures will affect the viscosity and rate of flow of
the fluid. Additional sensors and pumps are normally
placed along the pipes to keep the rate of water flow
constant.

Also consider
Try to repeat the science fair project using different
fluids like honey, ethanol and engine oil.

The science project experiment can also be repeated

using a larger hole in the cup, and observing if that
makes any difference.

Name-Mhammed Saad.

Class-11th