
For instance - the viscosity of syrup is higher than that of water. So, we can say that the viscosity of a fluid refers to the measure of its resistance to gradual deformation at a given rate. In the example we discussed earlier concerning honey and water, we can say that honey is thicker than water due to which it is more viscous than water as well. To be specific, viscosity defines a fluid's resistance to flow. The term 'Viscosity' in physics refers to the measure of the resistance of a fluid to gradual deformation by tensile stress (the force acting along the axis of force, which is responsible for the stretching or elongation of material) or shear stress (the external force on an object or surface area parallel to the plane or slope in which the object lies). Do you know the difference between both cases? The answer lies in the property of fluids, known as viscosity.

In this particular scenario, the honey poured will take its own time running down the hair and face of that person. Now, let us consider another situation in which you pour 1000 ml of honey on a person's head. The effect of viscosity is important in a variety of disciplines, for example, in the study of fluids and gasses, as it governs their behavior.ĭo you know what will happen if you pour 1000 ml of water on a person's head? The water flows through the person's hair and then over the face. If the flow is a stream of uniform velocity, there is zero viscosity if, on the other hand, the velocity is turbulent and chaotic, there will be some viscosity. If the fluid is caused to flow smoothly and regularly, there will be no viscosity. More simply, it is the resistance to a simple flow. In physics, Viscosity is defined as the measure of the resistance of a fluid to flow.

The measure of a fluid's resistance to flow is known as viscosity.
