Newton's Law of Viscosity states that the shear stress between adjacent fluid layers is proportional to the velocity gradient perpendicular to the direction of flow. This relationship characterizes fluids as Newtonian when the viscosity remains constant regardless of the applied stress or shear rate.

Newton's Law Of Viscosity

Newton's Law of Viscosity

Shear stress is a measure of how a force is distributed parallel to a surface, causing layers of a material to slide against each other. It plays a crucial role in determining the structural integrity and deformation behavior of materials under load, influencing fields such as fluid dynamics, material science, and civil engineering.

shear stress

adjacent fluid layers

The velocity gradient is a measure of how the velocity of a fluid changes at different points in space, typically perpendicular to the flow direction. It is a crucial concept in fluid dynamics as it helps in understanding shear rates and the effects of viscosity in fluid flow behavior.

velocity gradient

direction of flow

Newtonian fluids are characterized by a constant viscosity regardless of the stress applied or the flow conditions, meaning their flow behavior is linearly proportional to the applied shear stress. This makes them predictable and straightforward to model mathematically, as described by Newton's law of viscosity.

Newtonian Fluids

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow, often perceived as 'thickness' or internal friction. It is a crucial property in fluid dynamics, affecting how substances move and interact under various forces and conditions.

Viscosity

applied stress

Shear rate is a measure of the rate at which adjacent layers of fluid move with respect to each other, typically expressed in reciprocal seconds (s⁻¹). It is a crucial parameter in characterizing the flow behavior of non-Newtonian fluids, where viscosity can change with the rate of shear strain.

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