Viscocity

A Newtonian fluid is any fluid that exhibits a
viscosity that remains constant regardless of any

external stress that is placed upon it, such as mixing or a sudden application of force. One
example is water, since it flows the same way regardless of whether it is left alone or agitated
vigorously. This can be contrasted with non-Newtonian fluids, which can become thicker or
thinner when stress is applied. It is possible for the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid to change if it
is exposed to different temperatures or pressures instead of external applications of force. Many
fluids become thicker as they are cooled, for example, though they still react to shear forces
without a change in viscosity.
The defining factor of any Newtonian fluid is that it will flow the same when a great deal of force
is applied as when it is left alone. This means that it can be mixed vigorously without changing
its viscosity. Another way to describe these fluids is that they have a linear relationship between
viscosity and shear stress. Regardless of the shear stress applied to these fluids, the coefficient of
viscosity will not change.
Many different fluids are Newtonian, including water, certain oils, and air. The importance of
this fact can be seen when examining the many different fluids that do not share this
characteristic. Some fluids exhibit shear thickening, which means that the viscosity increases in
the presence of an external force. If water or air exhibited these properties, runners and
swimmers would find the surroundings thickening around them as they attempted to move faster.
This type of effect can be seen when water and corn starch are mixed to create a non-Newtonian
fluid, which is liquid if left alone but will solidify and allow someone to run across it.
It is possible for the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid to change through factors other than
externally applied force, such as through temperature and pressure. Compressible liquids will
tend to become thicker under pressure, while incompressible liquids exhibit a negligible change
under the same circumstances. These fluids can also change in density when exposed to extreme
temperatures, which can lead to an increase or decrease in viscosity. A fluid that has changed
viscosity through one of these methods will still show a linear relationship between viscosity and
shear stress.
A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid whose viscosity is variable based on applied stress. The most
commonly known fluid of this kind is cornstarch dissolved in water. Contrast with Newtonian
fluids like water, whose behavior can be described exclusively by temperature and pressure, not
the forces acting on it from second to second. These fluids are fascinating substances that can be
used to help us understand physics in more detail, in an exciting, hands-on way.
Cornstarch, which makes a non-Newtonian fluid when dissolved in water.
If you punch a bucket full of a shear thickening non-Newtonian fluid, the stress introduced by the
incoming force causes the atoms in the fluid to rearrange so that it behaves like a solid. Your
hand will not go through. If you shove your hand into the fluid slowly, however, it will penetrate
successfully. If you pull your hand out abruptly, it will again behave like a solid, and you can
literally pull a bucket of the fluid out of its container in this way.
A shear thinning non-Newtonian fluid behaves in the opposite way. In this type, the fluid
becomes thinner, rather than thicker, when stress is applied. Also called pseudoplastic, examples
of this type of fluid include ketchup, toothpaste, and paint. The effect doesn't usually last for long
in either type, continuing only as long as the stress is applied.
Non-Newtonian fluids help us understand the wide variety of fluids that exist in the physical
world. Plastic solids, power-law fluids, viscoelastic fluids, and time-dependent viscosity fluids
are others that exhibit complex and counterintuitive relationships between shear stress and
viscosity/elasticity. However, non-Newtonian fluid is probably the most exciting to play with.
A search for non-Newtonian fluid on YouTube brings up some interesting results. On several
game shows, hosts or contestants run across big vats of shear thickening non-Newtonian fluid,
able to traverse them unless they stop - in which case they sink immediately. When combined
with a oscillating plate, these fluids demonstrate other unusual properties, like protruding
"fingers" and holes that persist after creating them. An oscillating plate applies stress on a
periodic basis, rapidly changing the viscosity of the fluid and putting it in an odd middle ground
between a liquid and a solid.
A practical application for shear thickening non-Newtonian fluids may be in body armor of the
future. Since such fluids are usually flexible, they would allow soldiers to move freely when not
under attack. But if confronted with a speeding bullet, they would quickly harder, performing
like traditional armor. More research is necessary to see if non-Newtonian fluids are suitable for
the military, but until then, it's sure fun to play with.
Shaving cream is another example of a shear-thinning fluid. When shaving cream comes out of
the can, it appears to be a soft solid, But rub it between your fingers and it thins into a liquid.
Quicksand is also a shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluid. As pressure is applied to quicksand, it
becomes more fluid. So if you ever find yourself stuck in quicksand, avoid thrashing about as that
will only cause you to sink faster.

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A Newtonian fluid is any fluid that exhibits a

viscosity that remains constant regardless of any

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