Introduction:

The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to gradual deformation by

shear stress or tensile stress. Viscosity describes a fluids internal resistance to
flow and can be thought of as a measure of fluid friction.
The coefficient of viscosity is a constant for a fluid at a particular
temperature and pressure.
Mathematically, it is the ratio of shearing stress to velocity gradient. The
coefficient of viscosity of a fluid describes its resistance to flow. Its SI units are
Pa-sec.
A viscometer (also called viscosimeter) is an instrument used to measure the
viscosity of a fluid.












1
Aims and Objectives
To determine the co-efficient of dynamic viscosity of acetone, isopropyl
alcohol, glucose solution, diethyl-ether, ethyl acetate and coconut oil and to
observe the variation of with temperature and concentration of solution
using Ostwalds Viscometer.


















2
Apparatus and Chemicals Required
Apparatus :
Ostwalds Viscometer, funnel, iron stand, stop watch, measuring cylinder.
Chemicals:
Acetone, isopropyl alcohol, glucose solution, diethyl-ether, ethyl acetate and
coconut oil.

















3
Theory
Ostwalds Viscometer is an instrument used to measure the coefficient of
viscosity of a liquid.







It consists of two bulbs connected by a capillary tube. The upper bulb has a
smaller volume than the lower bulb.
A liquid of density P is filled in the lower bulb and raised above the upper bulb
by suction. It is allowed to fall and the time t taken to fall from the upper mark
to the lower mark is noted.
For a given viscometer, P/t = constant.







4

Experimental Procedure:
1. Determination of co-efficient of viscosity:
i) The Ostwalds Viscometer is washed with acetone and allowed to
dry.
ii) 20ml of water is measured out and poured into a viscometer
arranged as shown in the figure.
iii) Using suction, the water level is made to rise past upper mark D.
iv) The viscometer is clamped to an iron stand and placed in a water
bath at 298K(to keep temperature constant)
v) Water level is allowed to fall. Stopwatch is started when it crosses
level D and stopped when it crosses lower mark C. Time taken is
noted. Let it be t1.
vi) Repeat this procedure 5 times.
vii) Repeat the first five points twice for acetone, iso-propyl alcohol,
glucose solution, carbon tetrachloride, ethyl ethanoate and
coconut oil. Time taken is to be noted in each case.
viii) is measured using the formula:
P/t = Constant
= Coefficient of viscosity, t = Time taken to fall from D to C
P = Density Of The Liquid
Or
1/t1 x P1 = 2/t2 x P2
where 1,p1 and t1 are the coefficient, time and density of water at 298K respectively.
2 = 1x t2x P2 / t1 x P1
1 = 8.90 x 10
-4
for water at 298
5
2. Variation of with temperature:
i) The Ostwalds Viscometer is washed with acetone and allowed
to dry.
ii) 20ml of water is measured out and poured into a viscometer
arranged as shown in the figure.
iii) Using suction, the water level is made to rise past level D.
iv) The viscometer is clamped to an iron stand and placed in a
water bath at 298K(to keep temperature constant)
v) Water level is allowed to fall. Stopwatch is started when it
crosses level D and stopped when it crosses level C. Time taken
is noted. Let it be t1.
vi) The first five steps are then repeated for water at temperature
288K and 313K and is calculated for both temperatures.

3. Variation of with concentration:

The Ostwalds Viscometer is washed with acetone and
allowed to dry.
20ml of water is measured out and poured into a viscometer
arranged as shown in the figure.
Using suction, the water level is made to rise past level D.
The viscometer is clamped to an iron stand and placed in a
water bath at 298K(to keep temperature constant)
Water level is allowed to fall. Stopwatch is started when it
crosses level D and stopped when it crosses level C. Time
taken is noted. Let it be t1.
15ml of isopropyl alcohol is mixed thoroughly with 5ml of
water. Density is calculated. The first 5 steps are repeated.
10ml of isopropyl alcohol is mixed thoroughly with 10ml of
water. Density is calculated. The first 5 steps are repeated.
5ml of isopropyl alcohol is mixed thoroughly with 15ml of
water. Density is calculated. The first 5 steps are repeated.
6

Observations
Water at 298K:
= 8.9*10
-4
Pa-sec.
Liquid
Density(kg/
m
3
)
Time(sec)

x 10
-4
Pa-sec
Water at 298K 1000 151 151 151 8.9

Part 1:
Liquid Density(kg/
m
3
)
Time(sec)
x 10
-4
Pa-sec
Acetone 790 117 118 117.5 5.47
Di-ethyl ether 7.3 76 75 75.5 3.17
Glucose Solution 10.7 166 165 165.5 9.9
Ethyl Acetate 890 112 113 112.5 5.9

Coconut Oil 9.4 2238 2250 2244 120
7
Part 2:
Liquid
Density(kg/
m
3
)
Time(sec)

x 10
-4
Pa-sec
Water at 313K 1000 132 132 132 7.70
Water at 278K 1000 177 179 178 10.137

Part 3:
Volume Of
Water
Volume Of
Acetone
Time x 10
-4
20 0 1000 151 151 151 8.9
15 5 947.5 141 143 142 7.92
10 10 895 133 133 133 7.42
05 15 842.5 124 124 124 6.9
00 20 790 117 118 117.5 5.47


8
Inference
Part 1:
Liquid Coefficient of viscosity (x10
-4
Pa-sec)
Acetone 5.47
Di-ethyl ether 3.17
Glucose solution 9.9
Ethyl Acetate 5.9

Coconut Oil 120

Part 2:
The coefficient of viscosity of a liquid depends on temperature It decreases
with increase in temperature.
Part 3:
The coefficient of viscosity of a liquid changes when it is dissolved in water i.e
with change in concentration.
If
liquid <

water ,
coefficient of viscosity increases on dilution with water.
9
Summary
Viscosity of a fluid is the property due to which it resists flow. It is described by
the coefficient of viscosity , which is measured by use of an Ostwald
viscometer. A liquid whose is known (water at 298 K ) is used as a reference
to calculate for different liquids.
It is observed that the coefficient of viscosity varies inversely with
temperature.
Viscosity of a liquid which is less viscous than water varies inversely with
concentration.







10
Bibliography
sst-web.tees.ac.uk/external/U0000504/Notes/labwork/Ostwald.pdf
www.udel.edu/pchem/C444/Lectures/Lecture3.pdf
en.wikipedia.org
www.google.com/images
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yekYoNxcH5Y