Researching the

viscosity of glycerol.

Equipment
Measuring tube containing glycerol.
100cm^3 measuring tube.
Several ball bearings.
micrometre.
weighing scale.

Procedure
Weigh mass of the small ball bearing that you are using.
(put several on the weighing scale then find the average)
Obtain the weight of the ball using w=mg, multiplying the mass and
gravity(9.81)
Measure the diameter of the ball bearing using a micrometre.
(take values from several different sides of the ball and fin average)
Obtain the volume of the ball using the equation 4/3r^2.
Transfer the glycerol into a 100cm^3 tube and weigh it.
Work out the density of glycerol using the equation density=mass/volume.
Get a tube filled with glycerol and make two marks on it to show the distance
the ball has to travel.
Drop the ball through the glycerol several times and measure the time it takes
for the ball to fall through the two marks.
Write down all the values you got into the lab book and find the averages for
those values.
calculate the upthrust acting on the ball using Fb= Vg.
Finally work out the viscosity if the glycerol using Fd=6rv

Uncertainty
Make sure you dry the ball before weighing it or using the micrometre to reduce
errors from possibly the water drops.
Take several values and an average of the time taken and the masses to make
the values more accurate.
when weighing the glycerol tube put the last few drops in with a syringe to get a
accurate value.
The time taken from the ball dropping between usually has the largest
uncertainty, measure many times and find the average.
Make sure you take the micrometre values from different parts of the sphere.
If you have moved around the glycerol, let it set for a while before using it again.

Stoke's law
Stokes law states that the drag force on an object moving through a viscous fluid
is directly proportional to the velocity, radius of the object and the vicosity of the
fluid
The force of viscosity on a small sphere moving through a viscous fluid is given
by
Fd=6rv
is the viscosity of the fluid it is travelling through.
r is the radius of the object
v is the terminal velocity of the object in the fluid.

The upthrust of the small sphere moving through a viscous fluid is given by
Fb= Vg

Weight of the sphere is given by

W=mg

To determine the viscosity.

Fd+Fb=W
6rv + Vg=mg

=(mg- Vg)/6rv

A sphere of known size and density is allowed to descend through the liquid. If
correctly selected, it reaches terminal velocity, which can be measured by the
time it takes to pass two marks on the tube.
Knowing the terminal velocity, the size and density of the sphere, and the
density of the liquid, Stokes' law can be used to calculate the viscosity of the
fluid. A series of steel ball bearings of different diameters are normally used in
the classic experiment to improve the accuracy of the calculation.

conversion graph

Risk assessment
Glycerol
There are no risk when doing the experiment when using small amounts .
When glycerol goes above 54C it can result in decomposition. Avoid contact
with moisture and strong oxidizers.
Eye contact may result in slight temporary irritation. Where eye protection.
Prolonged skin contact is unlikely to cause irritation or adsorption of harmful
amounts unless the skin layer is damaged.
Inhalation exposure will rarely occur due to the low volatility at room
temperature. Vapour from heated material or mist may cause respiratory
irritation.
Ingesting small amounts of glycerol incidental to normal handling operations ar
eunlokely to cause injury. Large amounts may cause injury such as effects on the
central nervous system and altered blood sugar levels.
repeated exposure to glycerine may cause increased fat levels in the blood.
Glycerol is flammable so keep away from fire.
It is oily so slipping hazard if spilt on the floor.