Caderno Brasileiro de Ensino de Física (Dec 2017)

Applicability of Stokes method for measuring viscosity of mixtures with concentration gradient

  • César Medina,
  • Patricio Alastuey,
  • Ana Clelia Gómez Marigliano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7941.2017v34n3p912
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 34, no. 3
pp. 912 – 927

Abstract

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After measuring density and viscosity of a mixture of glycerin and water contained in a vertical pipe, a variation of these properties according to depth is observed. These gradients are typical of non-equilibrium states related to the lower density of water and the fact that relatively long times are necessary to achieve homogeneity. In the same pipe, the falling velocity of five little spheres is measured as a function of depth, and then a numerical fit is performed which agrees very well with experimental data. Based on the generalization of these results, the applicability of Stokes method is discussed for measuring viscosity of mixtures with a concentration gradient.

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