250+ TOP MCQs on Fluids Mechanical Properties – Viscosity | Class 11 Physics

Physics Multiple Choice Questions on “Fluids Mechanical Properties – Viscosity”.

1. Viscosity is said to be internal friction between fluid layers. What type of force is it?
a) Electromagnetic
b) Gravitational
c) Weak Nuclear forces
d) Strong Nuclear forces

Answer: a
Clarification: At the contact surface of two bodies (here, fluid layers) molecular bonds are formed. When there is relative motion between them these bonds try to oppose it. This is how friction works. Therefore we can say it is an electromagnetic force as molecular bonds are considered to be electromagnetic forces.

2. What is the unit of coefficient of viscosity?
a) Ns/m²
b) Nm/s
c) Ns/m
d) Nm/s²

Answer: a
Clarification: The viscous force is given by F = -ηAdv/dx. Where A is area of contact, η is coefficient of viscosity & dv/dx is velocity gradient (vel/dist). From this expression we get, η = -F(dx/dv)(1/A). Therefore the dimension of η is N*s*m^-2 = Ns/m².

3. 1 poise = _________ Ns/m². Fill in the blanks.
a) 0.01
b) 0.1
c) 1
d) 10

Answer: b
Clarification: Poise is the C.G.S unit of coefficient of viscosity. poise = dyne-s/cm². 1Ns/m² = 10⁵* 1/10⁴ dyne-s/cm² = 10 dyne-s/cm².
∴ 1 dyne-s/cm² = 0.1 Ns/m² = 1 poise.

4. Coefficient of viscosity doesn’t depend on temperature because it is a property of the fluid. True or False?
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: Coefficient of viscosity is a constant of proportionality for the viscous force expression. Viscous force depends on the area of contact and the velocity gradient, and also on the temperature as more temperature of liquid will decrease friction between its layers hence we say that coefficient of viscosity depends on temperature.

5. The coefficient of viscosity is equal to the ratio of shear stress to shear strain. True or False?
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Clarification: Imagine a fluid element with its bottom layer having zero velocity and upper layer, at a height ‘h’, having velocity ‘v’. As the fluid moves, the bottom layer stays as it is, while the other layers will move relative to the bottom layer. So, the strain (=v*Δt/h) continuously increases with time. So we talk about strain rate (=v*Δt/h*Δt = v/h) and not about strain. And we say that stress is proportional to strain rate. Therefore the coefficient of viscosity is the ratio of stress & strain rate.

6. What is the effect of temperature increase on viscosity of liquids and gases?
a) Increases for both liquids and gases
b) Increases for liquids and decreases for gases
c) Increases for gases and decreases for liquids
d) Decreases for both liquids and gases

Answer: c
Clarification: In the case of liquids when temperature increases, viscosity decreases because it is the result of molecular bonds (electromagnetic forces) between particles which weaken due to random motion brought about by increase in temperature. In the case of gases, the molecules vibrate more randomly, leading to more obstruction in the path of bodies trying to move through it. And we interpret this increased obstruction as increased viscosity of the gas.

7. What will be the terminal velocity of a rain drop of radius (r) 1mm and mass (M) 0.001g falling through air. The coefficient of viscosity of air (η) is 1.8 X 10^-5Ns/m²? Neglect buoyant force.
a) 20 m/s
b) 29.47 m/s
c) 35.8 m/s
d) 40 m/s

Answer: b
Clarification: At terminal velocity, Mg = viscous force. Therefore, 0.001*10^-3*10 = 6πηrv ∴ v = 10^-5/ 6πηr = 10^-5 / ( 6π*1.8 X 10^-5*0.001) = 29.47 m/s.

8. In a closed pipe of radius R, fluid (having some viscosity) is flowing laminarly. Which point along a cross section will have maximum speed?
a) Centre
b) Near the wall of pipe
c) R/2 from centre
d) All points will have same speed

Answer: a
Clarification: We know that the shear strain rate is v/l, where v is velocity of layer and l is distance of that layer from layer having zero speed Here, the layer in contact with pipe wall will have zero speed. Therefore, the velocity will increase as one goes away from the wall and will be maximum at centre.

9. On which these factors does air/fluid resistance force, acting on a spherical body, not depend?
a) Radius of body
b) Velocity of body
c) Coefficient of viscosity
d) Density of body

Answer: d
Clarification: Resistance force by a fluid on a body = 6πηrv, where η is coefficient of viscosity, r is radius of body & v is its velocity. This doesn’t depend on density.
Another way to think of this is to imagine a hollow and solid sphere of the same radius falling through air at the same speed. The resistance offered by air will be the same on both as they have the same surface area exposed and are moving at the same speed.