Abstract,

For our fluid mechanics final project we created a falling ball viscometer, also known as
a falling sphere viscometer. We used a 25 mL burette and 3/8-inch chrome steel bearing balls
(ball bearings) to test three liquids. The liquids that we tested were two types of oil, one of
them was vegetable oil and the second one was Castrol oil, and water. By testing the liquids
and recording the time that it takes for the ball to travel through the tube the viscosity of the
liquid can be determined.

Introduction,

The viscosity of a liquid is the property representing the internal resistance of the fluid
to motion. The viscosity of a liquid is created due to the movement of particles within the liquid
creating friction. The higher the value of the viscosity, the more the liquid resists motion due to
a large amount of friction. The same theory applies to low viscosity fluids; they resist motion far
less due to minimal friction in the molecular structure of the fluid itself. Liquid is not the only
state of matter that has the property of viscosity. Viscosity can also be measured for gases, and
a falling ball viscometer is one way to determine the viscosity of not only liquids but gases as
well. The viscosity of a liquid is needed for many fluid mechanics problems, such as designing
piping systems. Fluid mechanics is not the only subject in which viscosity is important; it can
even be used in fields as diverse as food sciences and baking

Background and Theory

1. Stokes’ Law and Reynolds Number

Stokes’ Law is a proposition that relates the drag force experienced by a falling sphere to the
sphere’s (constant) velocity in a liquid of known viscosity.

Where Fd is the drag force, is the liquid viscosity, V is the (terminal) velocity, and d is the
diameter of the sphere.
Since the sphere is falling with constant velocity there is a balance of forces that result in no
acceleration.

Where Fd is the drag force on the sphere, Fb is the buoyant force, and mg is the weight of the
sphere (mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity).

This buoyant force experienced by the sphere can be described as:

Where is the buoyant force, is the liquid’s density, and d is the sphere’s diameter.

The weight of the sphere can be described as:

Where m is the sphere’s mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, is the sphere’s density, and d
is the sphere’s diameter.

Thus, the drag force can be related by Equations 3 and 4:

Where Fd is the drag force, is the sphere’s density, is the fluid’s density, d is the sphere’s
diameter, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

By using a falling ball viscometer we can determine the sphere’s terminal velocity and
also calculate the drag force using Equation 5. Stokes’ Law will be verified if the calculated drag
force approximates that described in Equation 1. However, we must first determine if Stokes’
Law is applicable by finding the Reynolds number for the flow.

Stokes’ Law will suffice as a sufficient model if the flow is smooth and non-turbulent. We can
determine this smoothness by calculating Reynolds number:

Where Re is Reynolds number, is the fluid density, V is the characteristic velocity, d is the
characteristic flow length, and is the fluid viscosity.

The uncertainty for such calculations will be determined using standard uncertainty
propagation equations.

Where x, y, and z are variables of a formula, a, b, and c are the exponents of the variables;
,and are the uncertainty of the variables, and (x,y,z,) is the uncertainty of the value F(x,y,z).

Procedure,

We started the experiment by taking all the necessary measurements needed before
starting the lab as instructed by the lab assistant and the lab manager. We started by measuring
the diameter of the three types of balls used for the experiment along with the diameter of the
pipes using a caliber. After we verified the density of each fluid being used in the lab which
were Castrol oil, vegetable oil, and water. As for the remaining measurements they were
collected from the boxes that contained the balls for density and material type.

Collected data,

Fluid Sphere Length

Tube Sphere Time of
Test Fluid Specific Sphere Specific Traveled
Diameter Diameter Traveling
No No Gravity Material Gravity by Sphere
(cm) (cm) (sec)
(unit-less) (unit-less) (cm)
1 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.95250 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 46.13
2 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.95250 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 44.63
3 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.95250 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 45.37
4 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.95250 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 44.04
5 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.95250 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 43.31

1 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.79375 Acrylic 1.1900 30.48 51.88

2 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.79375 Acrylic 1.1900 30.48 49.60
3 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.79375 Acrylic 1.1900 30.48 50.31
4 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.79375 Acrylic 1.1900 30.48 52.54
5 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.79375 Acrylic 1.1900 30.48 50.42
 1 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.63500 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 94.32
2 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.63500 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 96.17
3 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.63500 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 91.31
4 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.63500 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 91.26
5 Castor 0.961 9.525 0.63500 Nylon 1.1354 30.48 95.71

Sample Calculations:

Specific Gravity:

- Specific Gravity is the density of the substance divided by the density of water.
- Specific Gravity is simply just a ratio of density in relation to water; therefore, it is a unit-
less dimension.
- Specific Gravity can be expressed as:
o SG = ρsubstance / ρwater
o ρsubstance = density of substance (Which can be out fluids, or spheres)
o ρwater = constant = 1,000 kg/m3

Density of the Fluid:

-
Each fluid used had its own Specific Gravity.
-
We can use this equation for Specific Gravity (SG) to solve for the density of our
substance by rearranging the equation as such:
o ρsubstance = (SG)*(ρwater)
-
For example: Castor Oil
o SG = 0.961
o ρwater = constant = 1,000 kg/m3
o ρsubstance = (0.961)*( 1,000 kg/m3) = 961 kg/m3
-
For example: 70 WT Food Grade Oil
o SG = 0.875
 o ρwater = constant = 1,000 kg/m3
o ρsubstance = (0.875)*( 1,000 kg/m3) = 875 kg/m3
-
For example: 10 WT Food Grade Oil
o SG = 0.874
o ρwater = constant = 1,000 kg/m3
o ρsubstance = (0.874)*( 1,000 kg/m3) = 874 kg/m3

Mass of Sphere:

- In order to properly utilize this equation we must convert givens into the proper units.
o Since we have measure Diameter of the spheres in (inches) we must convert to
(cm) then to (m) to be utilized in this equation.
 (1in) = (2.54cm)
 (1cm) = (0.01m)
- For Example: Sphere of Diameter (3/8 in)
o (0.375 in)*(2.54cm / 1 in)*(1 m / 100 cm) = 0.009525 m

Diameter of Sphere Conversion Chart

in (fractional) in (decimal) cm m
3/8 0.375 0.9525 0.009525
5/16 0.3125 0.79375 0.0079375
¼ 0.25 0.635 0.00635
3/16 0.1875 0.47625 0.0047625

Viscosity (Pa∙s)

Calculated Standard Difference

70WT Food Grade Oil 1.51 2.5 40%

10WT Food Grade Oil 1.09 0.25 336%

Castor Oil 1.31 2.0 35.5%

Table 5.3 Comparison with Standard Values
- Each material of the spheres has its own Specific Gravity.
- We use the same equation as before for Specific Gravity except we elaborate on it a
little more and it will look as such:
o SG = (Masssphere / Volumesphere) / ρwater
- We then rearrange this equation to solve for mass of the sphere as follows:
o Masssphere = (SG)*(ρwater)*(Volumesphere)
 Volumesphere = (4/3)*(π)*(r3) = (4/3)*(π)*((D/2)3)
 SG = given from experiment
 ρwater = known constant
 r = radius of sphere = D/2
 D = diameter of sphere which we have measure in our experiment
o Therefore, our final equation will look like:
 Masssphere = (SG)*(ρwater)*( (4/3)*(π)*((D/2)3))

- For Example: Mass of nylon sphere of (3/8 in)

o Givens:
 SGnylon, spheres = 1.1354
 ρwater = 1,000 kg/m3
o Masssphere = (SG)*(ρwater)*( (4/3)*(π)*((D/2)3))
o Masssphere = (1.1354)*(1000 kg / m3)*( (4/3)*(π)*([0.009525 m / 2]3)) =
o Masssphere = (0.000513478 kg)*(1000 g / 1 kg) = 0.513478 g

- For Example: Mass of acrylic sphere of (5/16 in)

o Givens:
 SGacrylic, spheres = 1.1900
 ρwater = 1,000 kg/m3
o Masssphere = (SG)*(ρwater)*( (4/3)*(π)*((D/2)3))
o Masssphere = (1.1900)*(1000 kg / m3)*( (4/3)*(π)*([0.0079375m / 2]3)) =
 o Masssphere = (0.000311442 kg)*(1000 g / 1 kg) = 0.311442 g

- For Example: Mass of nylon sphere of (1/4 in)

o Givens:
 SGnylon, spheres = 1.1354
 ρwater = 1,000 kg/m3
o Masssphere = (SG)*(ρwater)*( (4/3)*(π)*((D/2)3))
o Masssphere = (1.1354)*(1000 kg / m3)*( (4/3)*(π)*([0.00635m / 2]3)) =
o Masssphere = (0.000152142 kg)*(1000 g / 1 kg) = 0.15214177 g

- For Example: Mass of nylon sphere of (3/16 in)

o Givens:
 SGnylon, spheres = 1.1354
 ρwater = 1,000 kg/m3
o Masssphere = (SG)*(ρwater)*( (4/3)*(π)*((D/2)3))
o Masssphere = (1.1354)*(1000 kg / m3)*( (4/3)*(π)*([0.0047625m / 2]3)) =
o Masssphere = (0.000064185 kg)*(1000 g / 1 kg) = 0.064184809 g

Average Terminal Velocity:

- The terminal velocity of the sphere falling through the given liquid.
- Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches
when the resistance of the medium through which it is falling prevents further
acceleration.
- Terminal Velocity (u) is given by the following equation:
o u = L / t (m/s)
o L = length traveled by sphere
o t = time of traveling of the sphere
- Average Terminal Velocity (uave) is given by the following equation:
 o uave = (u1 + u2 + u3 + u4 + u5) / 5
- For Example: Castor Oil with (3/8 in) Diameter
o U1 = L/t = (0.3048 m) / (46.13 s) = 0.0066
o U2 = L/t = (0.3048 m) / (44.63 s) = 0.0068
o U3 = L/t = (0.3048 m) / (45.37 s) = 0.0067
o U4 = L/t = (0.3048 m) / (44.04 s) = 0.0069
o U5 = L/t = (0.3048 m) / (43.31 s) = 0.0070
o Uave = (0.0066 + 0.0068 + 0.0067 + 0.0069 + 0.007) / 5 = 0.0068

Dsphere / Dtube:

- Ratio of the Diameter of Sphere and Diameter of the tube.

- For Example: Castor Oil with (3/8 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.92525) / ( 9.525) = 0.097139108
- For Example: Castor Oil with (5/16 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.79375) / ( 9.525) = 0.083333333
- For Example: Castor Oil with (1/4 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.63500) / ( 9.525) = 0.066666666
- For Example: 70 WT Food Grade Oil with (3/8 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.92525) / ( 9.525) = 0.097139108
- For Example: 70 WT Food Grade Oil with (5/16 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.79375) / ( 9.525) = 0.083333333
- For Example: 70 WT Food Grade Oil with (1/4 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.63500) / ( 9.525) = 0.066666666
- For Example: 10 WT Food Grade Oil with (1/4 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.63500) / ( 9.525) = 0.066666666
- For Example: 10 WT Food Grade Oil with (3/16 in) Diameter
o Ratio = Dsphere / Dtube = (0.47625) / ( 9.525) = 0.050000000

Reynold’s Number:

- Re = 24 / Cd
 o Cd = Drag Coefficient

Drag Coefficient:

- Cd = 24*µ /ρ*u*D
o µ= viscosity of liquid
o ρ = density of fluid
o u = terminal velocity of the sphere in the given fluid
o D = diameter of the given sphere

Viscosity:

- Rearrange Equation 5.4 to give us:

o µ = (g/18)*(D2 / u)(ρsphere - ρliquid)
 g = acceleration of gravity = 9.81 m / s2
 D = Diameter of Sphere = given based on trial
 ρsphere = Density of Sphere = given based on material of sphere
 ρsphere = (ρwater)*(SGsphere,nylon) = (1000)*(1.1354) = 1135.4 kg / m3
 ρsphere = (ρwater)*(SGsphere,acrylic) = (1000)*(1.19) = 1190.0 kg / m3
 ρliquid = Density of Liquid = given base on tube
- For Example: Castor Oil with (3/8 in) Diameter Sphere
o µ = (9.81 m / s2 / 18)*((0.0095250 m)2 / (0.00680 m / s))((1135.4 kg / m3) - (961
kg / m3)) = 1.2681 kg / m*s

Analysis of experiment and discussion,

The experiment went as expected with no unusual events. For this Viscosity of Viscous Fluids
experiments, the theory state that the magnitude of frictional force of a body moving in a fluids depends on the
geometry of the body, its velocity and internal friction of the fluid. A measure for the internal friction is given by
the dynamic viscosity, therefore, viscosity can be determined from the distance, time of fall, gravity, density of
the sphere and the viscous fluids, besides the radius of the guinea-and-feather apparatus and the sphere since
the sphere move along the axis of a fluid cylinder of radius.

The distance of fall, s was measured and recorded in the Data Sheet. Also included in the data sheet is
the time of fall, and its average value. All information that has been filled in the data sheet leads to the value of
the viscosity. The value of viscosity can be determined by using the Equation given in lab manual or it can be
found in any fluid mechanics book. The value of the viscosity from the experiment is lower than the theoretical
value that quoted in literature. In order to obtain how accurate this experiment was carried out, the percentage
difference must be calculated. The calculation revealed this experiment has a high percentage difference. Several
errors could explain the difference. Error in reaction time, as the stopwatch is a very sensitive instrument, the fact
that the reaction time in starting and stopping the stopwatch varies from person to person. The other error that
may occur is parallax error, due to the incorrect positioning of the eye during read the scale in meter rule. Other
than that, zero error may also occur in Vernier calipers that have been used to measure the diameter of the balls.

There are many ways to overcome this problem that I can use in order to obtain more accurate result
thus reduce the difference. To overcome the reaction time error’s, two or three times reading should be
taken and the average time computed. The way to overcome the parallax error is make sure the eye look
perpendicularly on the meter rule scale while the reading is being taken. To settle the zero error that may occur
in Vernier calipers, all the reading taken using this Vernier calipers have to be compensated accordingly.

Conclusion,

Overall, the experiment succeeded in showing the viscosity of oils and water (a viscous fluids) can be
determined by using guinea-and-feather apparatus. Difference existed in calculation that showed at the analysis
part. The percentage difference is seemed to be bit high. These differences, however, can be accounted for by
experimental error

Another thing to consider is the Reynolds number of the sphere flow determine whether it is a
24
stoke flow or not. If it is less than one, we can consider it as a stoke flow and 𝐶𝐷 = 𝑅𝑒. Using
 24 24𝜇 𝜌𝑢2 𝜋𝐷 2
Newton’s Second Law and from the relations 𝐶𝐷 = 𝑅𝑒 = 𝜌𝑢𝐷 and 𝐷𝑓 = 𝐶𝐷 2 4
, we can derive the

𝑔 𝐷2
expression for viscosity of the flow𝜇 = 18 𝑢
(𝜌𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 − 𝜌70𝑊𝑇 ).
24
When Reynolds number is greater than 1, 𝐶𝐷 cannot be approximated to , we have to use
𝑅𝑒

24 3 0.5 𝜌𝑢𝐷
𝐶𝐷 = 𝑅𝑒 (1 + 16 𝑅𝑒) to find the real Re value and solve for viscosity of the flow using 𝑅𝑒 = 𝜇
.

In this experiment, we found that sphere flow in 70WT Food Grade Oil and Caster Oil has
Reynolds number less than one and can be considered stoke flow. Their viscosities are calculated to
be 27 poise and 21 poise, with percentage error of 40% and 36.0%. Sphere flow in 10WT Food Grade
Oil is not stoke flow. Its viscosity is found to be 2.2 poise with 336% error.
It is also concluded from the chart that viscosity is a quality of the fluid; it is a constant for the
same fluid and does not change by the diameters of the spheres.