KINEMATIC VISCOSITY Meaning and
Definition
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Kinematic viscosity is a fundamental property used to characterize the flow behavior of fluids. Specifically, it refers to the resistance of a fluid to shear or angular deformation under the influence of an applied force or stress. More precisely, it quantifies the ability of a fluid to flow or move due to the relationship between its dynamic viscosity and density.
Kinematic viscosity is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to the density of the fluid. It is derived by dividing the dynamic viscosity, which measures a fluid's internal friction and resistance to flow, by the fluid's density, a measure of its mass per unit volume. The resulting value represents the fluid's resistance to flow under the influence of an applied force, such as gravity or an external pressure gradient.
The units of kinematic viscosity are typically expressed in square meters per second (m²/s) in the International System of Units (SI). However, alternative units such as stokes (St) or centistokes (cSt) are also commonly used, particularly in older or specialized applications.
Kinematic viscosity is an important physical property in various fields, including fluid mechanics, hydrodynamics, engineering, and meteorology. It plays a crucial role in the study of fluid dynamics and flow behavior, aiding in the understanding and analysis of various fluid flow phenomena. Kinematic viscosity is frequently used to characterize and compare different fluids, assess their ability to flow and transport energy, and determine their suitability for specific applications.
Etymology of KINEMATIC VISCOSITY
The word "kinematic viscosity" is derived from two different terms: "kinematic" and "viscosity".
The term "kinematic" is derived from the Greek word "kinēma", which means "movement" or "motion". In physics, kinematics refers to the study of motion and the description of objects' position, velocity, and acceleration.
The term "viscosity" comes from the Latin word "viscus", which means "sticky" or "adhesive". Viscosity corresponds to a fluid's resistance to shear or flow, measuring its internal friction or thickness.
When combined, "kinematic viscosity" refers to the measure of a fluid's resistance to flow in terms of its motion. It quantifies the ratio of the dynamic viscosity to the fluid's density, providing information about the fluid's thickness or resistance to deformation when subjected to shear stress.
