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Kinematic Viscosity Formula:
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Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow under gravity. It is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to fluid density and is an important property in fluid dynamics and engineering applications.
The calculator uses the kinematic viscosity formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the kinematic viscosity based on rotational speed and diameter measurements, providing a quick estimation of fluid flow characteristics.
Details: Kinematic viscosity is crucial for understanding fluid behavior in various applications including lubrication systems, hydraulic circuits, and fluid transport. It helps engineers design efficient fluid systems and predict flow patterns.
Tips: Enter rotational speed in radians per second and diameter in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the difference between kinematic and dynamic viscosity?
A: Dynamic viscosity measures a fluid's resistance to flow when an external force is applied, while kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by fluid density.
Q2: What are typical units for kinematic viscosity?
A: The SI unit is m²/s, but Stokes (St) and centistokes (cSt) are also commonly used (1 St = 10⁻⁴ m²/s, 1 cSt = 10⁻⁶ m²/s).
Q3: How does temperature affect kinematic viscosity?
A: For most fluids, kinematic viscosity decreases as temperature increases. This temperature dependence is particularly important for lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids.
Q4: What applications require kinematic viscosity calculations?
A: This calculation is essential in bearing design, pump selection, pipeline flow analysis, and any application involving fluid motion and friction.
Q5: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: This specific formula is most accurate for certain rotational viscometer configurations and may not apply to all fluid measurement scenarios.