Fluid Mechanics - Engineering

Q1:

For water, when the pressure increases, the viscosity

A also increases

B decreases

C remains constant

D first decreases, and then increases

ANS:D - first decreases, and then increases

For water, when the pressure increases, the viscosity typically decreases. Here's an explanation:

  • Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. For water, viscosity decreases with increasing temperature and generally increases with increasing pressure.
  • Effect of Pressure: Increasing pressure on water typically compresses its molecular structure slightly, reducing the space between molecules. This compression leads to a decrease in viscosity because the molecules can move more freely past each other under higher pressure, resulting in lower resistance to flow.
  • Temperature and Pressure: While temperature primarily affects water viscosity more prominently, pressure also plays a role. At normal pressures and temperatures, the effect of pressure on water viscosity is relatively small compared to temperature changes. However, in general, increasing pressure tends to decrease water viscosity.
Therefore, the correct answer is: decreases As pressure increases, the viscosity of water tends to decrease, allowing it to flow more easily.