Kinematic Viscosity Calculator

What is Kinematic Viscosity?

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow under the influence of gravity. It represents the ratio of dynamic viscosity to density and is an important property in fluid dynamics. Kinematic viscosity is commonly used in engineering applications, particularly in the study of fluid flow in pipes, channels, and around objects.

Formula

The formula for kinematic viscosity is:

\[ \nu = \frac{\mu}{\rho} \]

Where:

• \( \nu \) is the kinematic viscosity (m²/s)
• \( \mu \) is the dynamic viscosity (Pa·s or kg/(m·s))
• \( \rho \) is the density of the fluid (kg/m³)

Calculation Steps

Let's calculate the kinematic viscosity of water at 20°C:

1. Given:
   • Dynamic viscosity of water at 20°C (\( \mu \)) = 0.001002 Pa·s
   • Density of water at 20°C (\( \rho \)) = 998.2 kg/m³
2. Apply the kinematic viscosity formula: \[ \nu = \frac{\mu}{\rho} \]
3. Substitute the known values: \[ \nu = \frac{0.001002 \text{ Pa·s}}{998.2 \text{ kg/m³}} \]
4. Perform the calculation: \[ \nu = 1.004 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m²/s} \]

Example and Visual Representation

Let's visualize the concept of kinematic viscosity:

This diagram illustrates:

• Fluid flow from left to right
• Particles (yellow circles) in the fluid
• Higher kinematic viscosity on the left (particles move slower)
• Lower kinematic viscosity on the right (particles move faster)
• The vertical lines represent layers of fluid with different velocities