Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Civil Engineering Environmental and Sanitary Engineering

Hydraulics Laboratory

Experiment No. 1
Falling Sphere Viscometer

Name: Bautista, Derwin Daniel C.

Student #: 2008103322
Program & Year: CE / 3
Course code & Sec: CE140-OP / B2 (Fluid mechanics)
Group #: 5
Group Members: Espejo, Mhello; Ramos, Jomar; Bautista, Derwin
Date Performed: October 15, 2010
Date Submitted: October 28, 2010
Ratings

Engr. Fibor J. Tan

Instructor

HYDRAULICS DEPARTMENT

Name: __Bautista, Derwin Daniel C.______

Subject & Section: __CE140-0P / B2______
Date Performed: October 15, 2010
Instructor: __Engr. Fibor J. Tan__________
Date Submitted: October 28, 2010

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

Commercial Falling Sphere viscometers are non-available. One type of

which is shown on the sketch. The one available is not of the commercial type
this viscometer makes use of the principles in case of flow around a small
sphere.
For laminar flow vd/2

1in which d is the diameter of the sphere. The

friction or the deformation drag Fd of the sphere moving at a constant velocity V

through a fluid of infinite extend is given by Stokes Law with the following
assumptions:
1. The particle must be a sphere.
2. The surface of the particle must be smooth.
3. The resistance to fall or drag force Fd is due to the viscosity of the fluid.
4. The terminal velocity must be constant.
Fd =3 V t d

------------------------------------------------ (1)

A free body diagram of the sphere after it has acquired constant velocity or
terminal velocity is shown on the sketch where W is the weight of the sphere. F b is
the buoyant force and Fd is the deformation drag.
Fd + FbW =0
(2)
3

Or

3 Vd + d L /6 d s /6

(3)

=d2 ( s L )

(4)

Solving for :

18V

Equation (4) has to be corrected in actual practice because the extent of the
fluid is not infinite and the influence of the boundary proximity on the sphere is
large. The correction is usually affected by multiplying the observed velocity of fall
VS by a certain constant K which is a function of d/D m the diameter of the sphere
and medium ratio, such that
V

= VS K

(5)

Where
1

+ 9d/ 4 Dm (9d/4 Dm)2

The equation for viscosity then becomes

= d2(S L) / 18VSK

for which the viscosity can be computed.

OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the viscosity of a certain fluid.
APPARATUS:
Viscometer
Hydrometer

stopwatch
thermometer

caliper

steel balls

2
LABORATORY PROCEDURE:

Determine the temperature and specific gravity of the liquid whose viscosity is
desired. Drop cautiously one of the spheres noting whether the sphere is guided
correctly or is off center. Determine the time required for the sphere to travel a
certain distance. Repeat the procedure for each sphere.
REPORT:

From the data obtained in the laboratory, compute for each run
1. (a) Ratio of sphere diameter to diameter of medium, d/Dm
(b) Correction constant, K
(c) The observed velocity of fall, VS
(d) Dynamic Viscosity,
2. Using the computed value of dynamic viscosity , compute for the
Kinematic Viscosity v.
v = / L
3. Plot VS versus d/Dm

FINAL DATA SHEET

Name: __Bautista, Derwin Daniel C._____________________________
2010____
Subject & Section: ____CE140 0P / B2__________________________
_____5_________
Seat no. __________

Date: __October 15,

Group No.:

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
FALLING SPHERE VISCOMETER

Group
No.

TRIAL
NO.

Y
(m)

t
(sec)

Vs
(m/s)

d (m)

Dm (m)

d/Dm

V
(m/s)

3.3

0.303

7.93x10

9.825x1
0-2
9.825x1
0-2
9.825x1
0-2
9.825x1
0-2

0.080
7
0.080
9
0.060
3
0.047
9

1.21
4
1.21
5
1.16
5
1.11
9

0.367

-3

2
5

3.26

0.306

7.95x10
-3

4.77

0.2096 6.32x10
-3

7.04

0.142

4.71x10
-3

0.371
0.244
0.158

(Pa
s)
0.565
5
0.562
4
0.541
1
0.461
8

v (m2/s)

4.419x1
0-4
4.394x1
0-4
4.227x1
0-4
3.608x1
0-4

FINAL SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

From Trial 1.
I.

Finding Vs

Given:

y=1 m; t =3.3 s

Formula:
V s=

1
t

V s=

1
3.3

V s=0.303 m/s

II.

Finding k and

d
Dm

Given:
3

d=7.93 10 m
D m=9.825 102 m
Formula:
k =1+

9d
9d
+
4 Dm
4 Dm

( )( )

9.825 102
9.825 102
9 ( 7.93 103 )
4 ()2

4 ()+
9 ( 7.93 103 )

k=1+
k =1.214

d
7.93 103
=
D m 9.825 102
d
=0.0807
Dm

III.

Finding V

Given:

V s=0.303 m/ s

k =1.214

Formula:
V =V s k
V =(0.303 m/s)(1.214)
V =0.367 m/ s

IV.

Finding

Given:

s =7350

kg
kg
m
m
; l=1280 3 ; g=9.81 2 ; V =0.367 ; d=7.93 103 m
3
s
m
m
s

Derivation:
F D + F B W =0
d3 L d3 S
3 Vd +

=0
6
6
Formula:
d 2 ( S L )
=
; =g
18V
=

d 2 g ( S L )
18 V
2

( 7.93 103 ) ( 9.81 ) (73501280 )

18 ( 0.367 )

=0.5655 Pas

V.

Finding
Given:

=0.5655 Pas ; L =1280 kg/m

Formula:

=
L
=

0.5655
1280
4

=4.418 10 m / s
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In this experiment that entitled Falling Sphere Viscometer, the unknowns to
determine are the spheres velocity of fall, the absolute viscosity, and the
kinematic viscosity. To solve for the velocity of fall, assuming the fluid is at rest in a
vertical glass tube, a sphere of known diameter and mass density is allowed to
descend through the fluid. At the point where the tube is marked, the sphere is
able to reach its terminal velocity and the time when the sphere had reached the

first mark to another mark is measured provided that the distance between the
two marks is 1 meter. The velocity of fall of the sphere on the fluid can be solved
through the equation Vs = d/t. The equation for the experimental value of the
absolute viscosity of liquid can be derived by equilibrium of forces wherein the
sum of the Drag Force and the Buoyant Force is equal to the weight of the sphere
(refer to the procedure). Through proper substitutions, the formula for the absolute
viscosity will arrive at the equation = d 2 (s - L)/18Vsk where d is the measured
diameter of the sphere, being the unit weight, and k which is the correction
constant that depends on the ratio of the diameter of the sphere and the glass
tube. The performers can be able to determine the kinematic viscosity, denoted by
Greek letter , through the relationship of a liquids absolute and kinematic
viscosity as shown by the equation = / L. In addition, it can be observed that
the velocity of fall of the sphere is directly proportional to the ratio of the diameter
of the sphere and the diameter of the tube containing the fluid whose viscosity to
be measured. The viscosity is observed to be far different from the actual value of
viscosity due to temperature indifferences and some properties of fluids such as
the viscosity varies with temperature.
Some errors committed in this experiment are primarily the mistake
committed in measuring the following quantities: time of fall of the sphere in a
liquid using the stopwatch, the diameters of the tube containing the fluid involved
and the diameter of the spheres used using the micrometer caliper. Even though
the said instrument can be assumed to be accurate, the misalignment can cause
even the slightest of errors.

ANSWERS TO REPORT
1.
(a) Ratio of sphere diameter to diameter of medium, d/Dm
Refer to the table:
d
Dm
TRIAL
(m)
(m)

d/Dm

1
2
3
4

7.93x10-3
7.95x10-3
6.32x10-3
4.71x10-3
Sample Computation:
Given: from trial 1
d=7.93 103 m

9.825x10-2
9.825x10-2
9.825x10-2
9.825x10-2

0.0807
0.0809
0.0603
0.0479

D m=9.825 102 m
d
7.93 103
=
D m 9.825 102
d
=0.0807
Dm
(b)Correction constant, K
Refer to the table:
d
TRIAL
(m)
1
7.93x10-3
2
7.95x10-3
3
6.32x10-3
4
4.71x10-3
Formula for k:
9d
9d 2
k =1+
+
4 Dm
4 Dm

( )( )

Sample Computation:
Given: from trial 1
3
d=7.93 10 m
2

D m=9.825 10 m

Dm
(m)
9.825x10-2
9.825x10-2
9.825x10-2
9.825x10-2

k
1.214
1.215
1.165
1.119

9.825 10
2
9.825 10
9 ( 7.93 103 )
=1.214
4 ()2

4 ()+
3
9 ( 7.93 10 )

k=1+
(c) The observed velocity of fall, VS
Refer to the table:
TRIAL NO.
Y (m)
t (sec)
1
1
3.3
2
1
3.26
3
1
4.77
4
1
7.04

Formula:
V s=

Vs (m/s)
0.303
0.306
0.2096
0.142

y
t

Sample Computations:
Given: from trial 1
y=1 m; t=3.3 s

V s=

1
3.3

V s=0.303 m/s
(d)
TRIAL
1
2
3
4

Dynamic Viscosity,
Refer to the table:
NO.

(kg / m3)
1280
1280
1280
1280
Formula:
2
d g (S L )
=
18 V

(Pa s)
0.5655
0.5624
0.5411
0.4618

v (m2/s)

V (m/s)

d (m)

4.419x10-4
4.394x10-4
4.227x10-4
3.608x10-4

0.367
0.371
0.244
0.158

7.93x10-3
7.95x10-3
6.32x10-3
4.71x10-3

Sample Computation
Given: from trial 1
kg
kg
m
m
s =7350 3 ; l=1280 3 ; g=9.81 2 ; V =0.367 ; d=7.93 103 m
s
m
m
s
2

( 7.93 103 ) ( 9.81 ) (73501280 )

18 ( 0.367 )

=0.5655 Pas

2. Refer to the previous table:

Formula:

=
L
Sample Computation: from trial 1
Given:
=0.5655 Pas ; L =1280 kg/m3

0.5655
1280
4

=4.418 10 m / s
3. Graph

Vs - d/Dm
0.09

0.08

0.08

0.08

0.07
0.06

0.06
0.05
d/Dm

0.05

d/Dm

0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0 0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

Vs (m/s)

CONCLUSION
Going further, the group can generalize that a viscosity of a certain liquid:
absolute or kinematic, can be determined by different methods. One is through the
falling sphere viscometer. In addition, all real fluids had their own values and levels
of viscosity. There is no such fluids with no viscosity or termed as an ideal fluid. It is
also conclusive that the velocity of fall of a certain particle or body depends on the
viscosity of any medium involved. The viscosity of any fluids involves serves as the
force resisting any tendency or form of motion which is in other words, a drag force
causing a delay on the fall of the sphere. Other definition of viscosity is a certain
thickness of fluids. From the theories stated, it can be said that the viscosity is
inversely proportional to the velocity of a body moving with its presence. In other
words, the less viscous the fluid is, the greater its ease of movement; viscosity of
fluids also refers to the resistance from deformation due to shear stresses. The

experimental value of the viscosity of a certain fluid depends also on the diameter
of the sphere dropped on the fluid and the diameter of the vessel containing the
fluid to be investigated. A fluid is more likely to deform when viscosity is low. Aside
from falling sphere viscometer, there are other devices that can be used in
measuring viscosity of fluids. There are different types of viscometers. Since
viscometers are only applicable for viscosities of fluids under a single flow
conditions. For fluids with viscosities that vary with flow conditions, a device
named rheometer is used.
It is recommended for reduction of possible causes of errors in this
experiment is through further knowledge and learning of the experiments that will
be performed. The procedure and other concepts must be read carefully and must
be familiarized. In addition, it was recommended to use other materials that yield
more accurate results.
Stokes' law is the basis of the falling sphere viscometer, in which the fluid is
stationary in a vertical glass tube. Knowing the terminal velocity, the size and
density of the sphere, and the density of the liquid, Stokes' law can be used to
calculate the viscosity of the fluid. A series of steel ball bearings of different
diameter is normally used in the classic experiment to improve the accuracy of the
calculation. The school experiment uses glycerin as the fluid, and the technique is
used industrially to check the viscosity of fluids used in processes.

REFERENCES

Viscometer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscometer
Viscometer
(n.d.)
Retrieved

http://www.answers.com/topic/viscometer
Falling Sphere Viscometer (n.d.) Retrieved

http://scoter3.union.edu/~andersoa/mer331/Lab1a_MER033_viscosity.pdf
Falling Sphere Viscometer (n.d.) Retrieved October 24, 2010 from

http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical/articles/83996.aspx
Stokes
Law
(n.d.)
Retrieved
October
25,
2010
from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stokes'_law
Besavilla, V. (1996) Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics.
Sonja Uselman (1998). Determination of the viscosity of glycerol by the

(n.d.)

falling-sphere

Retrieved

method.

October

25,

2010

from

October

25,

2010

from

Retrieved

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25,

2010

24,

from

2010

http://www.cord.edu/faculty/ulnessd/legacy/fall1998/sonja/stokeswrite

up.htm
UEfaP. Writing

list

of

references.

Retrieved

http://www.uefap.com/writing/referenc/referenc.htm

October

24,

2010