PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT

VISCOSITY OF
FLUIDS
Submitted To: Submitted By:
Mr.Shafeeq Arif Hassan
Class 11th
Roll no.
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that ARIF HASSAN of

class XI has completed the project titled
“VISCOSITY OF FLUIDS” during the
academic year 2018-19 towards partial
fulfillment of credit for Physics Practical
Evaluation of Central Board Of Education
2016 and submission satisfactory report as
completed in following pages under my
supervision.

Mr.Shafeeq
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
It is well known that behind ever success there stands some person
other than that has success. I believe that we have succeeded in
completion of my project report, but I am thankful to all those
persons who have directly or indirectly supported and helped me in
completion of my project.

Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude and special thanks to my

teacher Mr. Shafeeq who gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic viscosity of fluids which also helped
me in doing a lot of research and I came to know about so many
things.

I am really thankful to him. Secondly, I would also like to thank my

parents and friends who helped me a lot in finishing this project
within the limited time.

Again, thanks a lot to all the people who helped me.

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
Fluid Mechanics
Viscosity of Engine Oils
 CONTENTS
CONTENTS............................................................................................................................................

INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................

AIM.......................................................................................................................................................

APPARATUS REQUIRED..........................................................................................................................

THEORY.................................................................................................................................................

PROCEDURE..........................................................................................................................................

OBSERVATIONS......................................................................................................................................

CALCULATIONS......................................................................................................................................

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................

PRECAUTIONS......................................................................................................................................
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 INTRODUCTION
This project is about viscosity of fluids .In this project I have taken some
engine oils (which are not recommended for a diesel car) and tested them to
find that which one of them is best suitable for a diesel car .I have done this
by the help the experiment performed on viscosity of fluids.

I have taken the following oils :-

1. MAK Gold 40 (for bikes)
2. Servo 4T (for bikes)
3. HP Milcy Turbo (for trucks)
4. Castrol Active (for trucks)
 AIM
To compare the viscosity
of different engine oils at a
given temperature and
thereby determine the
most effective one for a
diesel car.
 APPARATUS
1. Metre high, 5cm broad cylindrical glass tube

2. Metre scale alongside tube

3. High density carbon steel balls

4. Screw gauge

5. Stop watch

6. String

7. Assorted engine oils

 THEORY
Why is engine oil used and how does it work?

Motor oil or engine oil is used for lubrication of various internal combustion
engines.
The main function is to reduce wear (deterioration due to friction) on moving
parts. When the pistons of the engine move back and forth they wear out the
sides of the cylinder block, the oil creates a layer that lets them move
smoothly.
It also cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing, and cools the engine by
carrying heat away from moving parts.

How is engine oil rated?

How it is rated: Engine oils can be made of singular polymers (single grade) or
multiple polymers (multi grade) and are rated accordingly. These differ in their
viscosity, and therefore, in their uses. The SAE gives a single grade to engine
oils. However, single grade oils cannot withstand the variety of conditions
vehicles today are put through. Therefore, multi grade oils are more popular.
These behave as differently rated single grade oils under different temperature
conditions. Under cold conditions, the oil is thin enough to grease the engine
and allow for proper ignition and running. Under high engine temperatures,
the oil only thins to a particular extent so as to keep the engine sufficiently
lubricated.

Multi grade ratings are in the form xWy (eg. 5W40). 'W' is the winter rating
which shows that the oil has been tested to work under cold conditions. The 'x'
number tells us which single grade polymer the oil behaves like under cold
conditions. The lower the number, the less viscous the oil and better the
performance in low temperatures. The 'y' number tells us the single grade
polymer as much as which the oil thins at high temperatures.

The rating is primarily based on the viscosity of the engine oils. Hence, it is
evident that viscosity is the single most important characteristic deciding the
efficiency of these oils. Different polymer combinations are made to essentially
alter the viscosity of the oil at different temperatures.
What is viscosity?

It is the property of a fluid by virtue of which an internal resistance comes into

play when the fluid is in motion, and opposes the motion between its different
layers. In a vehicle engine, viscosity determines how easily the motor oil flows
to different parts of the engine.

Coefficient of viscosity

When liquid flows over a flat surface, the liquid layer in contact with the fixed
surface does not move. Higher layers move forward with increasing velocity.
Due to relative motion, a backward dragging force F acts tangentially to every
layer. This force is proportional to the speed (v) of the layer, the area (A) of the
layer and inversely proportional to their separation (x). Combining these
factors we have the following:

F = ηA (v/x)

In the equation, the constant of proportionality (η) is called the coefficient of

viscosity, which varies for every fluid.

Stokes Law

It was shown by Stokes Law that if a small sphere of radius r be moving with a
terminal v through an infinite homogeneous and incompressible fluid of
coefficient of viscosity η, it experiences a force F given by,

F = 6πηrv (This relation is known as Stokes Law)

Terminal Velocity

This is the maximum velocity acquired by the body falling freely in a viscous
medium.
Consider a small sphere of radius (r) and density (ρ) falling freely in a viscous
medium (coefficient of viscosity η and density σ).

Total downward force = Weight of sphere – up-thrust

3
F = (4/3) π r (ρ – σ) g
This is equal to the upward force of viscosity = 6πηrv ∴ 6πηrv = (4/3) π r3 (ρ – σ) g
 PROCEDURE
1. 850 ml of the oil was weighed and the density was found out
2. The jar was cleaned and filled with the motor oil up to a 97 cm (850 ml)
marker.
3. Two loops of string were tied around the lower part of the glass tube, 50
cm apart: one at 65 cm and the other at 15 cm.
4. A high density carbon steel shot was measured and weighed to
determine its density
5. The carbon steel shot was dropped into the liquid
6. The timer was started when the shot reached the first string (at terminal
velocity) and stopped when it reached the second one.
7. Three readings were taken for each engine oil and the observations
were noted.
 OBSERVATIONS

Radius of carbon steel ball = 1.905mm (r)

3
Density of carbon steel ball = 549.45 kg/m (ρ)
3 3
Density of all oils = 0.84 g/cm = 840 kg/m (σ)
o
Ambient temperature = 25 c

Time Taken in Different Oils

TIME (seconds)
OIL NAME AVERAGE TIME
T1 T2 T3
MAK Gold 40 3.51 3.35 3.41 3.42
Servo 4T 3.01 3.06 3.03 3.03
HP Milcy Turbo 2.86 2.66 2.71 2.74
Castrol Active 3.1 3.01 3.08 3.06

Terminal Velocity in Different Oils

OIL NAME TERMINAL VELOCITY (M/S)
MAK Gold 40 0.146
Servo 4T 0.165
HP Milcy Turbo 0.182
Castrol Active 0.137
Terminal velocity = 0.5m/average time
 CALCULATIONS
3
6πηrv = (4/3) π r (ρ – σ) g
2
η = [2r (ρ – σ) g ] / 9 v

MAK Gold 40
-3 2
η = [2 * (1.9x10 ) * (549.45 - 0.84) * 9.8] / (9 * 0.146)

η = 0.029541 kg/ms

Servo 4T
-3 2
η = [2 * (1.9x10 ) * (549.45 - 0.84) * 9.8] / (9 * 0.165)

η = 0.02614 kg/ms

HP Milcy Turbo
-3 2
η = [2 * (1.9x10 ) * (549.45 - 0.84) * 9.8] / (9 * 0.182)

η = 0.023698 kg/ms

Castrol Active
-3 2
η = [2 * (1.9x10 ) * (549.45 - 0.84) * 9.8] / (9 * 0.137)

η = 0.031482 kg/ms
There are a wide range of factors that must be taken into consideration to
choose the right engine oil. Engine oil ratings are based on the viscosity of the
oil, but these ratings aren’t exactly accurate. Each of these oils falls under a
SAE 40 rating, but they have different viscosities.

The rating of engine oils therefore is based on a factor known as kinematic

viscosity. Kinematic viscosity in turn is the ratio between dynamic viscosity
(absolute viscosity) and the density of the liquid. These values are then divided
into ranges and then SAE ratings.

The kinematic viscosity however will not be constant at a given temperature.

The density of liquids decreases with increase in temperature. This is because
when temperature rises so does volume. When volume rises the density
decreases.

Therefore we must also look at the coefficient of thermal expansion of engine

oils in order to calculate the new density and in turn, kinematic viscosity.

Volumetric Expansion

ΔV = α ΔT

(V-Volume, α-Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, T-Temperature)

Change in Density

ρ1 = ρ0 / [1 + α ( t1 - t0 )]

(ρ – Density, α- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, t-Temperature)

Kinematic Viscosity

ν=μ/ρ

(ν = kinematic viscosity, μ = absolute or dynamic viscosity, ρ = density)

Viscosity Index

VI = (L - U)/ (L - H) * 10

(U - kinematic viscosity, L and H – kinematic viscosity of the reference oils)

The Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of light diesel oil is 0.00085.

Assuming this value to be equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of our

engine oils, we have postulated that we can calculate the kinematic viscosity at
any given temperature.

Assuming the exponential model for calculation of absolute viscosity to hold

true under our conditions

In order to calculate the kinematic viscosity ratio at a given temperature we

can use this equation, divided by the respective densities.

Dynamic viscosity is the coefficient of viscosity of a liquid which we have

calculated.

Kinematic Kinematic
Coefficient of
Oil Name Density Viscosity Viscosity
2
Viscosity (m /s) (cSt)
MAK Gold 40 0.029541 820 0.000359 359
Servo 4T 0.02614 840 0.000311 311
HP Milcy Turbo 0.023698 820 0.000289 289
Castrol Active 0.031482 840 0.000374 374
 0
Calculating the kinematic viscosity at 100 C :
-bT
μ(T)= μ0 * e
-bT
μ0 = μ(T) / e
-bT -b(373)
μ(100) = (μ(T) / e ) * e
(Used to calculate the value of the constant ‘b’ in the equation)

-b(373) -bT
e /e = k (constant at a given temperature T)

-bT -b(373)
V(T) / V(100) = [μ0 * e / ρ(t) ] / [ {μ0 * e } / {ρ(t) / 1 + α
( 100 – T ) } ] (Cancelling μ0 and ρ(T) from the equation)

V(T) / V(100) = [1 / k * {1 + α ( 100 – T ) } ]

V(100) / V(T) = k * [1 + α ( 100 – T ) ]

or

-b(373) -bT
V(100) / V(T) = [e /e ] * [1 + α ( 100 – T ) ]

(This is a hypothesised relation which may or may not hold true for all values that are entered
into it.)
 CONCLUSION
-b(373) -bT
V(100) / V(T) = [e /e ] * [1 + α ( 100 – T ) ]

This equation puts all the values of kinematic viscosity of the oils in
the SAE 40 Range. Therefore any of the oils may be used as SAE 40 is
suitable for prolonged use in cars.

But in order to compensate for the grime build-up and the fact that
the engine may have to start in colder weather as it is specified that
the car is on its way to a hill station, the least viscous oil should be
used. This oil will ensure it doesn’t get too thick at lower
temperatures and will still flow.
3
With a dynamic viscosity of 0.023698 Kg/m and a kinematic
viscosity of 289
cSt, HP Milcy Turbo is the ideal engine oil.
 PRECAUTIONS
 TIME SHOULD BE CLACULATED CAREFULLY
 THE DENSITY OF CARBON STEEL SHOT SHOULD BE MORE
THAN THE LIQUIDS
 THE JAR SHOULD BE CLEANED NICELY
 READINGS SHOULD BE TAKEN CAREFULLY
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.D.J. Tritton: Physical Fluid Dynamics
2.G.K. Batchelor: Introduction to Fluid
Dynamics
3.S. Chandrasekhar: Hydrodynamics and
Hydromagnetic Stability
4.Segel: Mathematics Applied to Continuum
Mechanics Dove
5.H.C.Verma: Introduction to physics
6.www.wikipedia.org
7.www.google.com