States of matter: "viscoelastic fluid", familiar term is "cream"

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter symbolipoint
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of cream as a viscoelastic fluid and explores related concepts in the context of various states of matter, particularly focusing on materials like soaps and gels. Participants are examining the properties of these substances and their classifications within fluid dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that cream can be classified as a viscoelastic fluid, prompting interest in better descriptions of materials like soaps.
  • Another participant proposes that gels might be a relevant comparison, describing them as flexi-solids that can vary in stiffness.
  • Several participants mention the concepts of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids as potentially relevant to the discussion.
  • A participant introduces the terms "plastic solid" and "Bingham plastic," explaining their characteristics related to yield points and deformation.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about AI-generated definitions, favoring human explanations over potentially erroneous automated content.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the classification of materials, as multiple perspectives on the nature of creams, gels, and solids are presented. The discussion remains open-ended with various competing views.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the complexity of fluid dynamics and the need for further exploration of definitions and properties, indicating that some assumptions and definitions may not be fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying material science, fluid dynamics, or anyone curious about the properties of everyday substances like creams and soaps.

symbolipoint
Homework Helper
Education Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
7,643
Reaction score
2,081
(I am not sure where to place this within the forums, and also not sure what title topic should be)

While trying an online search to find precise terminology for various solids type matter forms but not necessarily firm solid form, I found a little information telling that cream is more precisely a viscoelastic fluid.

My interest about these things comes from wanting better descriptions of soaps which are either hard, or soft, or something between, or for some which are 'too' soft; and a few other kinds of materials.

https://homeandkitchenblog.com/what-state-of-matter-is-cream/

(MAYBE this is like a T.I.L. type of thing?)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sounds like gels to me.
A flexi-solid in a solution (between the gel's molecular scaffolding). Gels can come in a whole range of stiffnesses from very solid to a very mushy mess.
 
  • Agree
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: symbolipoint and Bystander
Perhaps look into Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids?
 
  • Informative
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: symbolipoint and BillTre
Borek said:
Perhaps look into Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids?
I am just starting that one. I am looking at the first several lines in the "Fluid" search in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid , and those are wild. Getting through the article will need time and effort.
 
Here's a couple more terms.

Plastic solid is a solid with a yield point. After yielding, it will continue to deform without limit. When the stress is removed, it stays in position.

Bingham plastic is a solid with a yield point. After yielding, it behaves as a viscous liquid.
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: berkeman, symbolipoint and BillTre
Hey, @jrmichler ;
I just tried a search in which I asked a question as input field of the search engine (related to "plastic solid"), and one of the results was some kind of AI result. I read that. The AI prepared article is wrong. I believe your description more than the meaning of the AI search item. Definition and description you gave makes more sense than the contradictory AI item.

Readers: Beware of AI results!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jrmichler, berkeman and BillTre

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
9K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
7K