Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi

I'm doing a project that involves a fluid between two plates (one moving, on stationary). Could you give me an easy to understand version of what shear rate is? I've looked it up, but I don't quite understand it.

Thanks for your help,
Braeden

Hi,

My best suggestion is to investigate the explanation of the viscosity of Newtonian fluids as a start. Here are some resources recommended by Sciene Buddies project writeup on viscosity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?tit ... d=85245995

http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Viscosity

http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_ ... ityTe.html

You may find this site useful:

http://web.mit.edu/hml/ncfmf.html

http://www.brookfieldengineering.com/ed ... easure.asp

These are the best explanations I can find. I hope they help. If you are still confused I would try to talk to a good chemistry or physics teacher at the high school or first year college level and see if they can help you understand the problem area for you.

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson