Module 1: Fluid Properties-1

CONTACT DETAILS OF CONTENT WRITER

Dr. Deepak Kumar
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering
College of Technology
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
Pantnagar (263 145) Uttarakhand
Mob- 7900450774
Email- [email protected]

Highlights of Module

 In this module the basic properties of fluid such as mass density, weight density,
specific volume, and specific weight has been discussed.
 Viscosity is an important property of fluid which further is used for studying fluid
dynamics. The theory behind viscosity has been discussed in this module. Based on
viscosity, the types of fluid have also been discussed.
 At the end of this module, some exercises have been provided for students to solve and
understand the terms used in this module.

Fluid mechanics basically deals with the physics of fluid in rest as well as in motion. In either of
the state, the behavior of fluid depends upon the type of fluid. Thus, before learning the basic
principles of fluid statics, Fluid kinematics and fluid dynamics, it is important to understand its
properties. In this module, properties of fluid which influence its motion and dynamics have been
explained.

1.1 Mass Density

Mass density can simply be named as density. The density of the fluid, in consideration,
may be defined as the mass of that fluid divided by volume of the same fluid in consideration.

Let us take a fluid x of mass in a laboratorial jar. The measured volume of space occupied by
the fluid of mass in the jar is , and then the density of the fluid x will be given by

For getting the precise value of density, experiment will be repeated for n times by changing
and recording its . Let the density after each trial is , , ......... .

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 If , then the fluid under experimentation is homogeneous fluid. Thus a
fluid with constant density is known as homogeneous fluid. Here, the point to be noted is that the
experiment should be done at a fixed temperature. If the temperature will vary, the density of
fluid will also vary.

 For detailed study, please refer: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronautics-and-astronautics/16-01-unified-

engineering-i-ii-iii-iv-fall-2005-spring-2006/fluid-mechanics/f01_fall.pdf

1.2 Specific Weight or Weight Density

Specific weight or weight density of fluid is defined as the weight of the fluid divided by its
volume. Thus, instead of taking mass, we have to take weight of fluid.

Where, is acceleration due to gravity, is the mass density of fluid and is weight density.

1.3 Specific Volume

Specific volume of a fluid is defined as the volume occupied by the fluid divided by its mass.
Thus specific volume is the reciprocal of mass density.

Here Specific volume is abbreviated as .

or,

1.4 Specific Gravity

Specific gravity may be defined as the ratio of mass density (or weight density) of a to the
mass density (or weight density) of a standard fluid. For liquids, standard fluid is water. For
gases, the standard fluid is air. Here, specific gravity is abbreviated as .

Similar equations can also be written for gaseous fluid.

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 Mass density and weight density of a fluid can also be calculated if the specific gravity of fluid is
given.

For example, if is specific gravity of a fluid, then the mass density of this fluid can be given as

 For further study of specific weight, volume and gravity, please refer:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronautics-and-astronautics/16-01-unified-engineering-i-ii-iii-iv-fall-2005-spring-
2006/fluid-mechanics

1.5 Viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. Molecular makeup of a fluid determines

the internal friction of a moving fluid. Since different fluids may have different internal
molecular makeup, hence viscosity will also be different. If a fluid flows easily, it means its
molecular makeup offers little friction when it is in motion. For example, honey can flow
relatively slowly as compared to water because the internal friction or resistance offered by the
honey is greater than water. In other words, viscosity of honey is more than water.

Let us consider two adjacent layers of a fluid as shown in Fig. 1. The layer which is at a distance
of y units from the bottom has velocity of v, and the layer at a distance of y+dy from bottom has
velocity of v+dv. Thus the change in velocity for dy is dv.

Fig. 1. Variation of velocity with depth of flow

Newton's law of Viscosity states that shear stress on a fluid layer is directly proportional to the
rate of shear strain. Those fluids which follow this law is known as Newtonian fluids, else the
fluid is called Non-Newtonian fluids. The mathematical expression for shear stress in Newtonian
Fluid is given by

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where is the coefficient of dynamic viscosity. Unit of coefficient of dynamic viscosity can be
obtained from above equation. SI unit of dynamic viscosity is . CGS unit of dynamic
viscosity is . The CGS unit of viscosity is also known as Poise.

Relation between CGS and SI unit of dynamic viscosity is given in following equation

Kinematic viscosity may be defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to density of fluid.
Kinematic viscosity measurement is used mostly for Newtonian liquids - liquids that do not
change viscosity with changes in applied force (shear rate).

SI unit of kinematic viscosity is . The CGS unit of kinematic viscosity is also known as
stoke.

The measurement of dynamic viscosity is most useful for liquids which change their apparent
characteristics as force or pressure is applied. These liquids are known as non-Newtonian fluids.
Non-Newtonian fluids are sensitive to changes in the amount of force exerted on them, and can
sometimes even permanently change their viscosity if a constant force has been has been exerted
on them over a period of time. An example of the importance of dynamic viscosity measurement
is to indicate the proper flow characteristics of ketchup.

The viscosity of a fluid will be also a function of temperature. Thus, viscosity at 10oC will be
different from viscosity of the same fluid at 30oC. For liquids, the viscosity as a function of
temperature is relates as by following mathematical expression

Where and are viscosity of liquid at To C and 0oC respectively. and are constants of
liquid.
Based on Viscosity of fluid, there are five types of fluid namely Ideal Fluid, Real fluid,
Newtonian fluid, Non-Newtonian fluid.

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 I. Ideal Fluid- If a fluid having zero viscosity and also incompressible, then it is known as
ideal fluid. This type of fluid are generally imaginary and doesn't exist naturally.
II. Real Fluid- A liquid which possess viscosity is known as real fluids.
III. Newtonian Fluid- A real fluid which follow Newton's law of viscosity is termed as
Newtonian Fluid.
IV. Non-Newtonian Fluid- Those fluids in which shear stress on the fluid layer is not
proportional to shear strain is known as Non-Newtonian fluids.

 Summary
From Module 1, following points need to be remember
 Weight density of fluid is defined as the weight of the fluid divided by its volume.
 Specific volume of a fluid is defined as the volume occupied by the fluid divided by
its mass.
 Specific gravity may be defined as the ratio of mass density (or weight density) of a
to the mass density (or weight density) of a standard fluid.
 Newton's law of Viscosity states that shear stress on a fluid layer is directly
proportional to the rate of shear strain.
 Kinematic viscosity may be defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to density of
fluid.
 A real fluid which follow Newton's law of viscosity is termed as Newtonian Fluid.
 If a fluid having zero viscosity and also incompressible, then it is known as ideal
fluid.

 For further study, please refer

 Khurmi, R .S. 1970. A Text Book of Hydraulics, Fluid Mechanics and

Hydraulic Machines S. Chand & Company Limited, New Delhi.

 Modi P M and Seth S.M.1973. Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics. Standard

Book House, Delhi.

 Chow V T 1983. Open Channel Hydraulics. McGraw Hill Book Co., New Delhi.

 Lal Jagadish 1985. Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics. Metropolitan Book Co.Pvt. Ltd.,
New Delhi.

 Bansal, R.K. 1983. Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic machines. Laxmi Publications (P)
Ltd.

 MCQ
Question-1: If a liquid has specific weight of 5000 N/m3, mass density of fluid is given by
A. 410 kg/m3

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 B. 500 kg/m3
C. 510 kg/m3
D. 400 kg/m3

Question-2: If a liquid has mass density of 1000 kg/m3, the liquid can be
A. Mercury
B. Water
C. Kerosene
D. Petrol

Question-3: Poise is an unit of

A. Dynamic Viscosity
B. Kinematic Viscosity
C. Specific weight
D. None of these

Question-4: The dimension of stoke is

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question-5: If temperature of liquid will increase, its viscosity

A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Remain Constant
D. Can't be decided

Answer Key of MCQ:

1 2 3 4 5

C B B C B

 ASSIGNMENT FROM MODULE-1

Question-(1a). Differentiate between ideal fluid and real fluid with examples.

Question-(1b). Calculate the specific weight and specific volume of a liquid having specific
gravity of 0.5.

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Question-(1c). A liquid having viscosity of 10 poise. What will be its value in SI units.
Question-(1d). How the kinematic viscosity is related to dynamic viscosity?

Question-(1e). Between two plated 10 mm apart from each other, lubricating oil of viscosity 22
poises is filled. Calculate the shear stress in oil if upper plate is moving with a
velocity of 1.5 m/s.