To Determine the Coefficient of Viscosity of a Given Viscous Liquid by Measuring Terminal Velocity of a Given Spherical Body

Aim 
To determine the coefficient of viscosity of a given viscous liquid by measuring terminal velocity of a given spherical body.

Apparatus 
A half metre high, 5 cm broad glass cylindrical jar with millimetre graduations along its height, transparent viscous liquid, one steel ball, screw gauge, stop clock/watch, thermometer, clamp with stand.

Theory 
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Diagram 
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Procedure

  1. Clean the glass jar and fill it with the viscous liquid, which must be transparent.
  2. Check that the vertical scale along the height of the jar is clearly visible. Note its least count.
  3. Test the stop clock/watch for its tight spring. Find its least count and zero error (if any).
  4. Find and note the least count and zero error of the screw gauge.
  5. Determine mean radius of the ball.
  6. Drop the ball gently in the liquid. It falls down in the liquid with accelerated velocity for about one-third of the height of liquid. Then it falls with uniform terminal velocity.
  7. Start the stop clock/watch when the ball reaches some convenient division (20 cm; 25 cm ;………..). Note its fall.
  8. Stop the stop clock/watch just when the ball reaches lowest convenient division (45 cm).
  9. Find and note the distance fallen and time taken by the ball.
  10. Repeat steps 6 to 9 two times more.
  11. Note and record temperature of the liquid.
  12. Record your observations as given ahead.

Observations 
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Calculations 
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Result 
The coefficient of viscosity of the liquid at temperature (θ°C) =…….C.G.S. units.

Precautions 

  1. Liquid should be transparent to watch motion of the ball.
  2. Ball should be perfectly spherical.
  3. Velocity should be noted only when it becomes constant.

Sources of error 

  1. The liquid may not have uniform density.
  2. The ball may not be perfectly spherical.
  3.  The noted velocity may not be constant.

VicaVoce 

Question. 1. Why liquid taken must be transparent ?
Answer. It is so because the motion of ball must be visible in the liquid.

Question. 2. How does the viscosity of liquid and gases change ?
Answer. The viscosity of liquid decreases with increase in temperature while that of gases increases with increase in temperature. The viscosity of liquid increases with increase of pressure. The viscosity of gases does not change with pressure.

Question. 3. Why does a hot water move faster than cold water ?
Answer. It is because that viscosity of hot water is smaller than cold water.

Physics Lab ManualNCERT Solutions Class 11 Physics Sample Papers