In terms of common knowledge, when one views a virtual cross section at any place along the horizontal plane, a pullback force is generated from the bottom cross section where the flow is slower to the top cross section where the flow is faster. This force we call the viscosity force. This experiment uses a caterpillar with known length and diameter to calculate the flow rate in the caterpillar when the pressure difference at the two ends of the caterpillar is kept constant and to further figure out the coefficient of viscosity for the liquid.

 

Large Beaker
Incorporate a flow controller to maintain a constant outlet flow rate.

Constant-level Tanks
Apparatus for maintaining liquids at a constant level in a tank and supplying a liquid under a constant pressure. The water flow out through the outlet port if it exceeds the height limit.

Thermometer
Determine the temperature of the liquid by means of thermometer suspended so that the bulb is covered by the liquid in the tank. As the viscosity of water varies rapidly with the temperature, it’s important that the temperature be accurately determined.

Manometers
Read the two manometers and determine the pressure difference between the two ends of the tube.

Capillary Tube
To determine the coefficient of viscosity where liquid flows through the capillary tube of known diameter and length.

Video

Linear Expansion Coefficient of A Solid

Department of Physics (Digital Archive Project of NTU General Physics Laboratory)
National Taiwan University