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 ▸

Calculate the kinetic energy of a proton moving at 95% of the speed of light. (c = 3x10^8 m/s, m_p = 1.67x10^-27 kg) [4 marks]


A car of mass m travelling with a velocity v comes to rest over a distance d in time t. The constant frictional force acting on the car while it is braking is found using:


What is the de Broglie wavelength of a dust particle that has a mass of 1e-10 kg and a velocity of 0.05m/s?


Why is the classical model of light insufficient in explaining the photoelectric effect?