The Sci Guys: Science at Home - SE2 - EP7: Viscosity of Liquids

Summary

In this episode of Science Guys, Ryan and Adam explore liquid viscosity by racing various liquids like water, honey, maple syrup, and rubbing alcohol to measure how fast they flow. The experiment demonstrates that liquids with high viscosity, like honey and maple syrup, flow slowly, while those with low viscosity, like water and rubbing alcohol, flow quickly. The episode also delves into how cohesive forces between particles affect viscosity, with temperature playing a role in altering flow rates. The hosts encourage viewers to try the experiment at home and share their results while keeping safety in mind.

Takeaways

• 😀 Viscosity is the measure of how easily particles in a fluid can flow past each other. A high viscosity fluid flows slowly, while a low viscosity fluid flows quickly.
• 😀 The experiment in the video involves racing different liquids to measure their viscosity based on their flow rate.
• 😀 The ingredients used in the experiment include maple syrup, coffee cream, corn syrup, olive oil, honey, lamp oil, rubbing alcohol, canola oil, and dish soap.
• 😀 To conduct the experiment, you need two pans, a piece of paper, a ruler, tape, small containers, saran wrap, and basic protective gear like an apron or goggles.
• 😀 The first heat of the race involves water, rubbing alcohol, and cream, with water finishing first, followed by rubbing alcohol.
• 😀 The second heat of the race tests olive oil, lamp oil, and vegetable oil, with lamp oil finishing first and olive oil finishing last.
• 😀 In the final heat, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, and dish soap are raced, with maple syrup finishing first, followed by dish soap and corn syrup, with honey finishing last.
• 😀 The experiment concludes that water has the highest flow rate and the lowest viscosity, while honey has the lowest flow rate and the highest viscosity.
• 😀 Cohesive forces, or the forces that keep molecules of the same type together, influence a liquid's viscosity. Stronger cohesive forces result in higher viscosity.
• 😀 Temperature affects viscosity. Heating a liquid reduces its viscosity (increasing flow rate), while cooling it increases viscosity (decreasing flow rate).

Q & A

What is viscosity, and how is it related to liquid flow?

Viscosity is the rate at which particles in a fluid flow past each other. A liquid with high viscosity flows slowly, while one with low viscosity flows quickly.

What are the key ingredients used in the experiment to measure liquid viscosity?

The key ingredients include maple syrup, coffee cream, corn syrup, olive oil, honey, lamp oil, rubbing alcohol, canola oil, and dish soap.

What equipment is required for the viscosity experiment?

The equipment required includes two pans (one deep and one shallow), a piece of paper, tape, a ruler, a pen, small dishes or shot glasses, and saran wrap.

Why is it important to wear protective gear during this experiment?

While the experiment doesn't involve dangerous substances, wearing an apron, lab coat, and goggles is a good precaution to protect against spills and splashes.

How do you prepare the paper and shallow cookie tray for the experiment?

To prepare, tape the paper onto the shallow cookie tray, ensuring it is flat. Trim any excess paper, then cover the tray with saran wrap, securely taping all sides.

What was the outcome of the first heat of the viscosity race?

In the first heat, water finished first with a time of 0.233 seconds, while rubbing alcohol finished last with a time of 0.4 seconds.

Which liquid finished first in the second heat of the race?

In the second heat, lamp oil finished first with a time of 0.467 seconds, followed by olive oil, which finished last with a time of 0.633 seconds.

What were the results of the final heat of the viscosity race?

In the final heat, maple syrup finished first (1.33 seconds), followed by dish soap (4.633 seconds), corn syrup (19.5 seconds), and honey (20.767 seconds).

What does the outcome of the experiment tell us about viscosity?

Water had the highest flow rate and the lowest viscosity, while honey had the lowest flow rate and the highest viscosity. This demonstrates the relationship between flow rate and viscosity.

How do cohesive forces affect viscosity?

Cohesive forces are the forces that keep molecules together. In liquids like honey or maple syrup, strong cohesive forces make it harder for molecules to slide past each other, resulting in higher viscosity. In liquids like water, weak cohesive forces allow the molecules to move more freely, leading to lower viscosity.

How does temperature affect the viscosity of liquids?

When liquids like honey are heated, the molecules gain energy, move apart, and weaken their cohesive forces, decreasing viscosity and increasing flow rate. When cooled, the molecules move closer together, strengthening cohesive forces, which increases viscosity and decreases flow rate.