$$\require{cancel}$$

# Laminar Flow and Viscosity

When you pour yourself a glass of juice, the liquid flows freely and quickly. But when you pour syrup on your pancakes, that liquid flows slowly and sticks to the pitcher. The difference is fluid friction, both within the fluid itself and between the fluid and its surroundings. We call this property of fluids viscosity. Juice has low viscosity, whereas syrup has high viscosity. In the previous sections we have considered ideal fluids with little or no viscosity. In this section, we will investigate what factors, including viscosity, affect the rate of fluid flow.

The precise definition of viscosity is based on laminar, or nonturbulent, flow. Before we can define viscosity, then, we need to define laminar flow and turbulent flow. Figure shows both types of flow. Laminar flow is characterized by the smooth flow of the fluid in layers that do not mix. Turbulent flow, or turbulence, is characterized by eddies and swirls that mix layers of fluid together.

Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$: Smoke rises smoothly for a while and then begins to form swirls and eddies. The smooth flow is called laminar flow, whereas the swirls and eddies typify turbulent flow. If you watch the smoke (being careful not to breathe on it), you will notice that it rises more rapidly when flowing smoothly than after it becomes turbulent, implying that turbulence poses more resistance to flow. (credit: Creativity103)

Figure shows schematically how laminar and turbulent flow differ. Layers flow without mixing when flow is laminar. When there is turbulence, the layers mix, and there are significant velocities in directions other than the overall direction of flow. The lines that are shown in many illustrations are the paths followed by small volumes of fluids. These are called streamlines. Streamlines are smooth and continuous when flow is laminar, but break up and mix when flow is turbulent. Turbulence has two main causes. First, any obstruction or sharp corner, such as in a faucet, creates turbulence by imparting velocities perpendicular to the flow. Second, high speeds cause turbulence. The drag both between adjacent layers of fluid and between the fluid and its surroundings forms swirls and eddies, if the speed is great enough. We shall concentrate on laminar flow for the remainder of this section, leaving certain aspects of turbulence for later sections.

Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$: (a) Laminar flow occurs in layers without mixing. Notice that viscosity causes drag between layers as well as with the fixed surface. (b) An obstruction in the vessel produces turbulence. Turbulent flow mixes the fluid. There is more interaction, greater heating, and more resistance than in laminar flow.

Making Connections: Take-Home Experiment: Go Down to the River

Try dropping simultaneously two sticks into a flowing river, one near the edge of the river and one near the middle. Which one travels faster? Why?

Figure shows how viscosity is measured for a fluid. Two parallel plates have the specific fluid between them. The bottom plate is held fixed, while the top plate is moved to the right, dragging fluid with it. The layer (or lamina) of fluid in contact with either plate does not move relative to the plate, and so the top layer moves at v while the bottom layer remains at rest. Each successive layer from the top down exerts a force on the one below it, trying to drag it along, producing a continuous variation in speed from v to 0 as shown. Care is taken to insure that the flow is laminar; that is, the layers do not mix. The motion in Figure is like a continuous shearing motion. Fluids have zero shear strength, but the rate at which they are sheared is related to the same geometrical factors $$A$$ and $$L$$ as is shear deformation for solids.

Figure $$\PageIndex{3}$$: The graphic shows laminar flow of fluid between two plates of area $$A$$. The bottom plate is fixed. When the top plate is pushed to the right, it drags the fluid along with it.

A force $$F$$ is required to keep the top plate in Figure moving at a constant velocity $$v$$, and experiments have shown that this force depends on four factors. First, $$F$$ is directly proportional to $$v$$ (until the speed is so high that turbulence occurs—then a much larger force is needed, and it has a more complicated dependence on $$v$$). Second, $$F$$ is proportional to the area $$A$$ of the plate. This relationship seems reasonable, since $$A$$ is directly proportional to the amount of fluid being moved. Third, $$F$$ is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates $$L$$. This relationship is also reasonable, $$L$$ is like a lever arm, and the greater the lever arm, the less force that is needed. Fourth, $$F$$ is directly proportional to the coefficient of viscosity, $$\eta$$. The greater the viscosity, the greater the force required. These dependencies are combined into the equation

$F = \eta \dfrac{\nu A}{L},$

which gives us a working definition of fluid viscosity $$\eta$$. Solving for $$\eta$$ gives

$\eta = \dfrac{FL}{\nu A},$

which defines viscosity in terms of how it is measured. The SI unit of viscosity is

$N \cdot m/[(m/s)m^2] = (N/m^2)s \space or \space Pa \cdot s\), Table lists the coefficients of viscosity for various fluids. Viscosity varies from one fluid to another by several orders of magnitude. As you might expect, the viscosities of gases are much less than those of liquids, and these viscosities are often temperature dependent. The viscosity of blood can be reduced by aspirin consumption, allowing it to flow more easily around the body. (When used over the long term in low doses, aspirin can help prevent heart attacks, and reduce the risk of blood clotting.) # Laminar Flow Confined to Tubes—Poiseuille’s Law What causes flow? The answer, not surprisingly, is pressure difference. In fact, there is a very simple relationship between horizontal flow and pressure. Flow rate $$Q$$ is in the direction from high to low pressure. The greater the pressure differential between two points, the greater the flow rate. This relationship can be stated as \[Q = \dfrac{P_2 - P_1}{R},$

where $$P_1$$ and $$P_2$$ are the pressures at two points, such as at either end of a tube, and $$R$$ is the resistance to flow. The resistance $$R$$ includes everything, except pressure, that affects flow rate. For example, $$R$$ is greater for a long tube than for a short one. The greater the viscosity of a fluid, the greater the value of $$R$$. Turbulence greatly increases $$R$$, whereas increasing the diameter of a tube decreases $$R$$.

If viscosity is zero, the fluid is frictionless and the resistance to flow is also zero. Comparing frictionless flow in a tube to viscous flow, as in Figure, we see that for a viscous fluid, speed is greatest at midstream because of drag at the boundaries. We can see the effect of viscosity in a Bunsen burner flame, even though the viscosity of natural gas is small.

The resistance $$R$$ to laminar flow of an incompressible fluid having viscosity $$\eta$$ through a horizontal tube of uniform radius $$r$$ and length $$l$$ such as the one in Figure, is given by

$R = \dfrac{8\eta l}{\pi r^4}.$

This equation is called Poiseuille’s law for resistance after the French scientist J. L. Poiseuille (1799–1869), who derived it in an attempt to understand the flow of blood, an often turbulent fluid.

Figure $$\PageIndex{4}$$: (a) If fluid flow in a tube has negligible resistance, the speed is the same all across the tube. (b) When a viscous fluid flows through a tube, its speed at the walls is zero, increasing steadily to its maximum at the center of the tube. (c) The shape of the Bunsen burner flame is due to the velocity profile across the tube. (credit: Jason Woodhead)

Let us examine Poiseuille’s expression for $$R$$ to see if it makes good intuitive sense. We see that resistance is directly proportional to both fluid viscosity $$\eta$$ and the length $$l$$ of a tube. After all, both of these directly affect the amount of friction encountered—the greater either is, the greater the resistance and the smaller the flow. The radius $$r$$ of a tube affects the resistance, which again makes sense, because the greater the radius, the greater the flow (all other factors remaining the same). But it is surprising that $$r$$ is raised to the fourth power in Poiseuille’s law. This exponent means that any change in the radius of a tube has a very large effect on resistance. For example, doubling the radius of a tube decreases resistance by a factor of $$2^4 = 16$$.

Taken together, $$Q = \frac{P_2 - P_1}{R}$$ and $$R = \frac{8\eta l}{\pi r^4}$$ give the following expression for flow rate:

$Q = \dfrac{(P_2 - P_1)\pi r^4}{8\eta l}.$

This equation describes laminar flow through a tube. It is sometimes called Poiseuille’s law for laminar flow, or simply Poiseuille’s law.

Example $$\PageIndex{1}$$: Using Flow Rate: Plaque Deposits Reduce Blood Flow

Suppose the flow rate of blood in a coronary artery has been reduced to half its normal value by plaque deposits. By what factor has the radius of the artery been reduced, assuming no turbulence occurs?

Strategy

Assuming laminar flow, Poiseuille’s law states that

$Q = \dfrac{(P_2 - P_1)\pi r^4}{8\eta l}.$

We need to compare the artery radius before and after the flow rate reduction.

Solution

With a constant pressure difference assumed and the same length and viscosity, along the artery we have

$\dfrac{Q_1}{r_1^4} = \dfrac{Q_2}{r_2^4}$

So, given that $$Q_2 = 0.5Q_1$$, we find that $$r_2^4 = 0.5r_1^4$$.

Therefore, $$r_2 = (0.5)^{0.25}r_1$$ a decrease in the artery radius of 16%.

Discussion

This decrease in radius is surprisingly small for this situation. To restore the blood flow in spite of this buildup would require an increase in the pressure difference $$(P_2 - P_1)$$ of a factor of two, with subsequent strain on the heart.

$$\PageIndex{1}$$
Fluid Temperature (ºC) Viscosity η(mPa⋅s)
Gases
Air 0 0.0171
20 0.0181
40 0.0190
100 0.0218
Ammonia 20 0.00974
Carbon dioxide 20 0.0147
Helium 20 0.0196
Hydrogen 0 0.0090
Mercury 20 0.0450
Oxygen 20 0.0203
Steam 100 0.0130
Liquids
Water 0 1.792
20 1.002
37 0.6947
40 0.653
100 0.282
Whole blood1 20 3.015
37 2.084
Blood plasma2 20 1.810
37 1.257
Ethyl alcohol 20 1.20
Methanol 20 0.584
Oil (heavy machine) 20 660
Oil (motor, SAE 10) 30 200
Oil (olive) 20 138
Glycerin 20 1500
Honey 20 2000–10000
Maple Syrup 20 2000–3000
Milk 20 3.0
Oil (Corn) 20 65

The circulatory system provides many examples of Poiseuille’s law in action—with blood flow regulated by changes in vessel size and blood pressure. Blood vessels are not rigid but elastic. Adjustments to blood flow are primarily made by varying the size of the vessels, since the resistance is so sensitive to the radius. During vigorous exercise, blood vessels are selectively dilated to important muscles and organs and blood pressure increases. This creates both greater overall blood flow and increased flow to specific areas. Conversely, decreases in vessel radii, perhaps from plaques in the arteries, can greatly reduce blood flow. If a vessel’s radius is reduced by only 5% (to 0.95 of its original value), the flow rate is reduced to about $$(0.95)^4 = 0.81$$ of its original value. A 19% decrease in flow is caused by a 5% decrease in radius. The body may compensate by increasing blood pressure by 19%, but this presents hazards to the heart and any vessel that has weakened walls. Another example comes from automobile engine oil. If you have a car with an oil pressure gauge, you may notice that oil pressure is high when the engine is cold. Motor oil has greater viscosity when cold than when warm, and so pressure must be greater to pump the same amount of cold oil.

Figure $$\PageIndex{5}$$:. Poiseuille’s law applies to laminar flow of an incompressible fluid of viscosity $$\eta$$ through a tube of length $$l$$ and radius $$r$$. The direction of flow is from greater to lower pressure. Flow rate $$Q$$ is directly proportional to the pressure difference $$P_2 - P_1$$, and inversely proportional to the length $$l$$ of the tube and viscosity $$\eta$$ of the fluid. Flow rate increases with $$r^4$$, the fourth power of the radius.

Example $$\PageIndex{2}$$: What Pressure Produces This Flow Rate?

An intravenous (IV) system is supplying saline solution to a patient at the rate of $$0.120 \space cm^3/s$$ through a needle of radius 0.150 mm and length 2.50 cm. What pressure is needed at the entrance of the needle to cause this flow, assuming the viscosity of the saline solution to be the same as that of water? The gauge pressure of the blood in the patient’s vein is 8.00 mm Hg. (Assume that the temperature is $$20^o \space C$$.

Strategy

Assuming laminar flow, Poiseuille’s law applies. This is given by

$Q = \dfrac{(P_2 - P_1)\pi r^4}{8\eta l},$

where $$P_2$$ is the pressure at the entrance of the needle and $$P_1$$ is the pressure in the vein. The only unknown is $$P_2$$.

Solution

Solving for $$P_2$$ yields

$P_2 = \dfrac{8\eta l}{\pi r^4}Q + P_1$

$$P_1$$ is given as 8.00 mm Hg, which converts to $$1.066 \times 10^3 \space N/m^2$$. Substituting this and the other known values yields

$P_2 = \left[ \dfrac{8(1.00 \times 10^{-3} N\cdot s/m^2)(2.50 \times 10^{-2}m)}{\pi (0.150 \times 10^{-3} \space m^4)} \right] (1.20 \times 10^{-7} \space m^3/s) + 1.066 \times 10^3 \space N/m^2$

$= 1.62 \times 10^4 \space N/m^2$

Discussion

This pressure could be supplied by an IV bottle with the surface of the saline solution 1.61 m above the entrance to the needle (this is left for you to solve in this chapter’s Problems and Exercises), assuming that there is negligible pressure drop in the tubing leading to the needle.

# Flow and Resistance as Causes of Pressure Drops

You may have noticed that water pressure in your home might be lower than normal on hot summer days when there is more use. This pressure drop occurs in the water main before it reaches your home. Let us consider flow through the water main as illustrated in Figure $$\PageIndex{6}$$. We can understand why the pressure $$P_1$$ to the home drops during times of heavy use by rearranging

$Q = \dfrac{P_2 - P_1}{R}$ to

$P_2 - P_1 = RQ,$

where, in this case, $$P_2$$ is the pressure at the water works and $$R$$ is the resistance of the water main. During times of heavy use, the flow rate $$Q$$ is large. This means that $$P_2 - P_1 = RQ$$ is valid for both laminar and turbulent flows.

Figure $$\PageIndex{6}$$: During times of heavy use, there is a significant pressure drop in a water main, and $$P_1$$ supplied to users is significantly less than $$P_2$$ created at the water works. If the flow is very small, then the pressure drop is negligible, and $$P_2 - P_1.$$

We can use $$P_2 - P_1 = RQ$$ to analyze pressure drops occurring in more complex systems in which the tube radius is not the same everywhere. Resistance will be much greater in narrow places, such as an obstructed coronary artery. For a given flow rate $$Q$$, the pressure drop will be greatest where the tube is most narrow. This is how water faucets control flow. Additionally, $$R$$ is greatly increased by turbulence, and a constriction that creates turbulence greatly reduces the pressure downstream. Plaque in an artery reduces pressure and hence flow, both by its resistance and by the turbulence it creates.

Figure $$\PageIndex{7}$$ is a schematic of the human circulatory system, showing average blood pressures in its major parts for an adult at rest. Pressure created by the heart’s two pumps, the right and left ventricles, is reduced by the resistance of the blood vessels as the blood flows through them. The left ventricle increases arterial blood pressure that drives the flow of blood through all parts of the body except the lungs. The right ventricle receives the lower pressure blood from two major veins and pumps it through the lungs for gas exchange with atmospheric gases – the disposal of carbon dioxide from the blood and the replenishment of oxygen. Only one major organ is shown schematically, with typical branching of arteries to ever smaller vessels, the smallest of which are the capillaries, and rejoining of small veins into larger ones. Similar branching takes place in a variety of organs in the body, and the circulatory system has considerable flexibility in flow regulation to these organs by the dilation and constriction of the arteries leading to them and the capillaries within them. The sensitivity of flow to tube radius makes this flexibility possible over a large range of flow rates.

Figure $$\PageIndex{7}$$: Schematic of the circulatory system. Pressure difference is created by the two pumps in the heart and is reduced by resistance in the vessels. Branching of vessels into capillaries allows blood to reach individual cells and exchange substances, such as oxygen and waste products, with them. The system has an impressive ability to regulate flow to individual organs, accomplished largely by varying vessel diameters.

Each branching of larger vessels into smaller vessels increases the total cross-sectional area of the tubes through which the blood flows. For example, an artery with a cross section of $$1 \space cm^2$$ may branch into 20 smaller arteries, each with cross sections of $$0.5 \space cm^2$$, with a total of $$10 \space cm^2$$ In that manner, the resistance of the branchings is reduced so that pressure is not entirely lost. Moreover, because $$Q = A \overline{v}$$ and $$A$$ increases through branching, the average velocity of the blood in the smaller vessels is reduced. The blood velocity in the aorta $$(diameter = 1 \space cm)$$ is about 25 cm/s, while in the capillaries ($$20 \space \mu m$$ in diameter) the velocity is about 1 mm/s. This reduced velocity allows the blood to exchange substances with the cells in the capillaries and alveoli in particular.

# Section Summary

• Laminar flow is characterized by smooth flow of the fluid in layers that do not mix.
• Turbulence is characterized by eddies and swirls that mix layers of fluid together.
• Fluid viscosity $$\eta$$ is due to friction within a fluid. Representative values are given in Table. Viscosity has units of $$(N/m^2)$$s or $$Pa \cdot s$$.
• Flow is proportional to pressure difference and inversely proportional to resistance: $Q = \dfrac{P_2 - P_1}{R}.$
• For laminar flow in a tube, Poiseuille’s law for resistance states that $R = \dfrac{8\eta l}{\pi r^4}.$
• Poiseuille’s law for flow in a tube is $Q = \dfrac{(P_2 - P_1) \pi r^4}{8 \eta l}.$
• The pressure drop caused by flow and resistance is given by $P_2 - P_1 = RQ.$

## Footnotes

1 The ratios of the viscosities of blood to water are nearly constant between 0°C and 37°

2. See note on Whole Blood.

## Glossary

laminar
a type of fluid flow in which layers do not mix
turbulence
fluid flow in which layers mix together via eddies and swirls
viscosity
the friction in a fluid, defined in terms of the friction between layers
Poiseuille’s law for resistance
the resistance to laminar flow of an incompressible fluid in a tube: R = 8ηl/πr4
Poiseuille’s law
the rate of laminar flow of an incompressible fluid in a tube: Q = (P2 − P1)πr4/8ηl

## Contributors

Paul Peter Urone (Professor Emeritus at California State University, Sacramento) and Roger Hinrichs (State University of New York, College at Oswego) with Contributing Authors: Kim Dirks (University of Auckland) and Manjula Sharma (University of Sydney). This work is licensed by OpenStax University Physics under a Creative Commons Attribution License (by 4.0).