Viscosity of Fluids

Demonstrates the effects of changing viscosity.

1. Turn on the lamp behind the viscosity tubes.
2. Remove the individual rubber plugs for each tube
3. Center and fit the bar of magnets onto the grey, plastic cap that spans across all five tubes
   
4. Place a small (~1/4" diameter) steel bearing in each of the cavities on the opposite side of the plastic cap so that they are held in place by the magnets. Ensure ball bearings have the same diameter.
5. Fit the plastic cap across the top of the tubes
6. Lift the bar of magnets to release the bearings simultaneously and observe the rate of descent.

To retrieve ball bearings, slide a standalone magnet from the bottom of a tube to its opening on top.

Older versions of this demonstration used various viscous fluids such as corn syrup and molasses.

Related materials include: V-003