What is viscosity?

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. A fluid with large viscosity resists motion because its molecular makeup gives it a lot of internal friction. A fluid with low viscosity flows easily because its molecular makeup results in very little friction when it is in motion.
Gases also have viscosity, although it is a little harder to notice it in ordinary circumstances.

JN

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

An exo-planet orbits its local star, of mass 2.00x10^30kg, in a steady circular orbit of radius 8.00x10^8km. Calculate the orbital period of the star, in years.


In some SUVAT questions, they ask for 2 time solutions and I can only find 1. What am I missing?


How would you calculate the vertical and horizontal components of the velocity of an object with an initial velocity of 15m/s which is travelling upwards at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal?


Define the resistivity of a metal wire