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viscosity

[vi-skos-i-tee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

viscosities

the state or quality of being viscous.
Physics.��
1. the property of a fluid that resists the force tending to cause the fluid to flow.
2. the measure of the extent to which a fluid possesses this property.

viscosity

/ ��ɪ��ˈ��ɒ��ɪ��ɪ /

noun

the state or property of being viscous
physics
1. the extent to which a fluid resists a tendency to flow
2. η.��Also called: absolute viscosity.��a measure of this resistance, equal to the tangential stress on a liquid undergoing streamline flow divided by its velocity gradient. It is measured in newton seconds per metre squared See also kinematic viscosity specific viscosity

viscosity

The resistance of a substance to flow. For example, water has a lower viscosity than molasses and flows more easily. Viscosity is related to the concept of shear force; it can be understood as the effect of different layers of the fluid exerting shearing force on each other, or on other surfaces, as they move against each other. Viscosity lies behind the skin friction component of drag.
◆ Kinematic viscosity is a measure of the rate at which momentum is transferred through a fluid. It is measured in stokes.
◆ Dynamic viscosity is a measure of the ratio of the stress on a region of a fluid to the rate of change of strain it undergoes. It is equal to the kinematic viscosity times the density of the fluid. It is measured in pascal-seconds or poises.

viscosity

The internal friction of a fluid, produced by the movement of its molecules against each other. Viscosity causes the fluid to resist flowing.

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Other Word Forms

hyperviscosity noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of viscosity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin ��ō��, from Latin ��ō��(�ܲ�) viscous + -�� -ity

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I loved its viscosity, that rich, luxurious texture that clung to everything it touched, enveloping everything it's heaped over.

From

The maxim that blood is thicker than water may hold true in a laboratory viscosity test, but human relationships are far more complicated, and estrangement is commonplace.

From

He said it could allow scientists "to make more informed estimates of some important material properties, such as the viscosity of the inner core, which is one of the least known quantities in modern science".

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Finally, the researchers put the shells over embers to slowly heat the mixture, adding small amounts of ash to boost viscosity and volume.

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The end result is a clear, unscented, biodegradable liquid about the viscosity of baby oil that allows you to indulge in a little guilty pleasure without feeling guilty about the environment.

From

viscose viscosity index

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