The useful idea
- The useful idea
In continuum mechanics, viscosity is a property of a fluid that quantifies the resistance force acting on fluids when there is relative motion between fluid parcels.
- How it works
This resistance force is caused by the stress in fluid parcels, which ideally is directly proportional to the strain rate (the time derivative of strain) that arises when fluid parcels are in relative
- Why it matters
motion, and the relative speed between the boundary between adjacent fluid parcels is zero.
Why this matters
Look for Viscosity the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Viscosity the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Viscosity?
- Why it matters
- How it works
- The useful idea — correct
In continuum mechanics, viscosity is a property of a fluid that quantifies the resistance force acting on fluids when there is relative motion between fluid parcels.