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Investigating Fluid Viscosity

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Summary

Areas of Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Short (2-5 days)
*Note: For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.

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Abstract

You can measure the viscosity of a fluid using a glass tube and a marble with slightly smaller diameter than the tube. Seal one end of the tube. Fill the tube with the fluid to be tested. Drop the marble into to the tube and measure the time it takes to fall a fixed distance. Repeat the measurement several times, and use the average value. How does viscosity change with the amount of sugar dissolved in water? How does viscosity change with temperature?
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Global Connections

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

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Everything in the environment, whether naturally occurring or of human design, is composed of chemicals. Chemists search for and use new knowledge about chemicals to develop new processes or products. Read more
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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Investigating Fluid Viscosity." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p032/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/investigating-fluid-viscosity?class=AQXXb9fGqVwvGQHBbjnQg45xfiAL8W0Xp00Pldk-l9evj4OSfho6vqP_fO_AnYTB3dmm2MY-ZAGQYWt4cVrSYCgV. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Investigating Fluid Viscosity. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p032/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/investigating-fluid-viscosity?class=AQXXb9fGqVwvGQHBbjnQg45xfiAL8W0Xp00Pldk-l9evj4OSfho6vqP_fO_AnYTB3dmm2MY-ZAGQYWt4cVrSYCgV


Last edit date: 2020-11-20
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