Applications of viscosity

Applications of viscosity

The importance of viscosity can be understood from the following examples.

1) The oil used as a lubricant for heavy machinery parts should have a high viscous coefficient. To select a suitable lubricant, we should know its viscosity and how it varies with temperature [Note: As temperature increases, the viscosity of the liquid decreases]. Also, it helps to choose oils with low viscosity used in car engines (light machinery).

2) The highly viscous liquid is used to damp the motion of some instruments and is used as brake oil in hydraulic brakes.

3) Blood circulation through arteries and veins depends upon the viscosity of fluids.

4) Millikan conducted the oil drop experiment to determine the charge of an electron. He used the knowledge of viscosity to determine the charge.