Why does viscosity change with temperature?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between viscosity and temperature, specifically why viscosity decreases with increasing temperature in liquids while it increases in gases. Participants are exploring the underlying principles and mechanisms that govern these changes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the basic concept of viscosity and its temperature dependence, expressing uncertainty about their initial reasoning. Some participants provide insights into kinetic energy and intermolecular forces, while others question the differences in behavior between gases and liquids.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the topic, with some providing explanations related to kinetic energy and intermolecular forces. There is a recognition of the complexity of the question, particularly regarding the contrasting behaviors of gases and liquids, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the original poster's homework expectations, which may impose constraints on the depth of explanation they can provide. Additionally, the discussion includes references to prior searches for information, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the topic.

Macca604
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Does anybody know why viscosity changes with temperature?

I'm expected to do a short explanation or suggestion for my homework of why this happens but to be honest I'm not sure. :confused:

The only reason I can think of is higher temperature means more energy therefore less internal resistance to movement but that is quite a poor explanation.

Could anybody explain to me why viscosity decreases with temperature increase?
 
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What have you found so far with your google search?
 
berkeman said:
What have you found so far with your google search?

"When a fluid is heated, the particles within the fluid gain kinetic energy, and will be more able to overcome the intermolecular attraction forces within the fluid."

I think this will be enough actually, but I'm not sure why the decrease is an exponential decay.
 
You have answered only half of the real question. Can you explain why the viscosity of a gas increases with temperature while viscosity of a liquid decreases with temperature? They are both fluids.
 
I meant just liquids.
 
viscosity is dependent on both momentum interchange and cohesive forces. In gases, momentum interchange is dorminant..as the temp. of the gas is raised, particles gain kinetic energy and therefore on collision, there's a greater transfer of momentum which results in the inrease in viscosity. In liquids, cohesive forces dorminate...when temperatures are raised, particles gain energy enouigh to overcome the intermolecular forces of attraction thus decreasing the cohesive forces. Decrease in these cohesive forces reduces the viscosity in the liquid.
 
does that help ?
 
tim ek said:
does that help ?

It probably doesn't help Macca604, since this thread is 4 years old. But it may help others who search for this subject.

Welcome to the PF.
 
...4 what ? damn!
 
  • #10
tim ek said:
...4 what ? damn!

For which? The necropost miss, or that fact that it might help others in the future?
 
  • #11
..the necropost miss.
 

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