Measuring Lava Flow Worksheet

,Viscotity group
What is the relationship between viscosity of a liquid and the surface area it
covers?
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Viscosity is the measurement of a liquid's resistance to flow. Consider water and
molasses. Water flows relatively freely in certain area, while molasses is less fluid
and doesnt flow freely. Because molasses is more resistant to flow, it has a higher
viscosity than water.

Using clear transparency grids and liquid soap, we conducted

experiments, made measurements and collected data.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT
This Project wiil show us, how the viscosity affect the surface area of a liquid.
To understand viscosity, one must understand laminar flow, when a gas or fluid
flowing over a surface results in the molecules next to the surface having zero
speed. As one gets farther from the surface, there is an increase in speed.
The difference in speed is due to the internal friction within the gas or fluid. It is the
molecular friction as a result of molecules being pushed past each other. One can
imagine the strength with which the molecules cling together, which will be
proportional to the friction. This strength is known as viscosity. Viscosity determines
the friction amount, which determines the amount of energy absorbed by the flow.

Using clear transparency grids and liquid soap, we conducted

experiments, made measurements and collected data.
INVESTIGATION
VISCOSITY: is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes the internal
friction of a moving fluid.
SURFACE AREA: The extent of a two-dimensional surface enclosed within a
boundary.
FLUID: is a substance that continually deforms (flows) under an applied shear
stress. Fluids are a subset of the phases of matter and include liquids and gases

Controllable variable: Surface

Independent variable: Viscosity
Dependent variable: the area occupied by the liquids(soap, water)
The areas change will be measured by a grid placed under transparency
Hypothesis: the liquid more viscous will occupy a small area and a liquid
with a less viscosity will occupy a big area and itll flow freely.
Procedure
Materials

Liquid soap
Salt
Water

1. Place an overhead transparency of a grid on a flat surface.

2. Make the four following mixtures: 3 ml liquid soap, 3 ml soap plus 1 cap full of
salt (mix well), 2 ml soap and 1 ml of water (mix well), 3 ml water
3. One at a time, pour the three mixtures on the transparency (space them out).
Pour the fourth (water only) carefully or use an eyedropper.
4. When the soap stops flowing, measure the area of the flow.
5. Make a data table below and record your data in it.
Results

3 ml soap plus 1 cap full of salt

3ml liquid soap

3 ml water

2 ml soap and 1 ml of wter

http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=10035
http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Viscosity
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dynamic-absolute-kinematic-viscosityd_412.html