1. What is Kinematic Viscosity?

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a fluid's internal resistance to flow under gravitational forces. It is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to density. For water at 20°C, the kinematic viscosity is approximately 1.004 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator estimates kinematic viscosity based on temperature using empirical relationships:

Where:

• \( \nu \) — Kinematic viscosity (m²/s)
• \( T \) — Temperature (°C)
• 1.004 × 10⁻⁶ — Reference viscosity at 20°C
• 0.024 — Temperature coefficient

Explanation: The viscosity of water decreases as temperature increases due to reduced intermolecular forces.

3. Importance of Kinematic Viscosity

Details: Kinematic viscosity is crucial in fluid dynamics, hydraulic engineering, and various industrial applications. It affects flow rates, pressure drops, and heat transfer characteristics in fluid systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter temperature in degrees Celsius between 0°C and 100°C. The calculator provides an estimated kinematic viscosity based on standard water properties.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between kinematic and dynamic viscosity?
A: Dynamic viscosity measures internal resistance to flow, while kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by density.

Q2: How does temperature affect water viscosity?
A: Water viscosity decreases significantly with increasing temperature due to reduced molecular cohesion.

Q3: What are typical kinematic viscosity values for water?
A: At 20°C: ~1.0 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s, at 40°C: ~0.66 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s, at 100°C: ~0.29 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s.

Q4: Why is kinematic viscosity important in engineering?
A: It's essential for designing fluid systems, predicting flow behavior, and calculating Reynolds numbers for flow regime determination.

Q5: Does water purity affect kinematic viscosity?
A: Minor impurities have negligible effect, but significant contamination or dissolved solids can slightly alter viscosity.