Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello, I am doing a project on finding the liquid viscosity for 4 liquids. In order to find a liquids viscosity, i must plug information into an equation provided by science buddies to find a liquids viscosity. They say the liquids have to be thick and not thin so that the equation could be accurate. Science buddies suggests the four thick liquids: corn syrup, honey, glycerin, and molasses. Their should be approximately half a gallon of each, which is 64 ounces. I can find 64 oz of corn syrup, honey, and molasses, but not glycerin. Can i use a thick liquid besides glycerin? if so, can i use vegetable oil? If not, could you provide me with some other examples of thick liquids?

Hello MathandSciencestudent,

I’m assuming that you are working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p055.shtml

In this project you need to test fairly thick liquids because the equation you are using to calculate viscosity does not hold for thin liquids like water or milk. I think that vegetable oil might be too thin to use. If you can’t find glycerin, my suggestion is to try shampoo instead. A shampoo that’s easy to see through (not milky or opaque) would be good for your experiment. The viscosity of shampoo should be a bit higher than glycerin.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

Thanks for your help!!!!!