MOOLJI JAITHA COLLEGE JALGAON

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
F.Y.B.Sc.
COEFFICIANT OF VISCOCITY BY FLOW THROUGH CAPILLARY TUBE

THEORY:
The coefficient of viscosity is defined as the tangential viscous
force acting over unit surface area of the liquid necessary to maintain
unit velocity gradient. Unit of viscosity are poise or gm/cm.sec
If a steady flow of liquid is to be maintained through a capillary tube,
it is found necessary to establish a constant difference of pressure at two
ends of the capillary to overcome the resistance offered by the capillary
to the flow of the liquid. The volume V of liquid flowing through the
tube per sec is given by the expression.

( h g) a4.

p a2 .
V=

8 L

8L

g a4

=
8L

Where,
P= pressure difference between the ends of capillary tube
= h g.
= density of water
a = radius of the capillary tube.
= Coefficient of viscosity of water.
L = length of capillary tube under experiment.

AIM:

To determine the coefficient of viscosity of water using poiseuilles

method.

APPARATUS:
Poiseuilles apparatus, Aspirator bottle, beakers, meter
scale, stop watch, measuring cylinder watch, watch glass, weight box,
mercury.

DIAGRAM:

h1

h2

P1
P2

L
Fig. (1)

PROCEDURE:
1. Arrange the apparatus as shown in the fig (1). The capillary tube
must be horizontal. Measure the length L of the capillary tube
and in the manometer tubes.
2. Adjust the pinch cocks p2 till the flow is about a drop per sec.
There should not be any air bubbles in the capillary and in the
manometer tubes.
3. When the level in the manometer become steady note down h1 , h2
the manometer level .If the level remain equal it means there is
some leakage, so check if the aspirator is fitted with if tight
stopper or not , tighten the cork adjust the pinch cock p1 such
that there is some air bubble from the vertical tube which is fitted
in a cork of aspirator.
4. Find pressure difference, h= h1- h2 .
5. collect the water coming out of the capillary tube in the beaker for
some time (120 sec).The time for which water is collected is noted
using a stop watch . Measure volume of the water is collected (m)

using a measure cylinder. Find the volume of water flowing

through the capillary tube per sec .( v=m/t).
6. Repeat these operation for six values of pressure difference (h).
7. Calculate h/v hence calculate the coefficient of viscosity using the
formula.
8. Plot the graph of h against v and find the slope and determine the
coefficient of viscosity.

OBSERVATION TABLE:
Part I:
1. Length of horizontal capillary tube: L = ..cm.

2. Density of liquid in manometer tube :d = 1 gm/cc.

3. Temperature of water : =0c.
4. Radius of the capilary a = -------------- cm
Pressure
Differenc
Manometer e
Obs Level cm h=h1-h2.
cm
No
h1 h2

Ti
me
t

Amount
Of water
Rate
Mean
Collected
mean of
h/v h /v
in CC (gm) m
(gm) Flow

sec.

V=m
/t.
1

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

CALCULATION:
The coefficient of viscosity of water is calculated using
the formula
Mean

= h/v = ------------

Radius of capilary a = --------------- =

ga4 h
8L

=.. .Poise.
GRAPH:
Plot a graph of h against V.
Find the slope which gives mean value of h/v.

h
Slope = h/v.

v
Graphical coeff. of viscosity is :
ga4 h
The coefficient of viscosity,

=
8L

=..Poise.
ga4
=

Slope
8L
=.poise

RESULT:
(1) Coefficient of viscosity by calculation
(2) Coefficient of viscosity from graph
(3) Standard value of viscosity of water

=.poise.
=.poise.
=.poise