Table of Contents

1. Abstract _____________________________________________________________________________ 2
2. Introduction _________________________________________________________________________ 2
2.2. Tools and Equations_______________________________________________________________________ 2
3. Procedure __________________________________________________________________________ 3-4
4. Results and Discussion _________________________________________ 4-Error! Bookmark not defined.
5. Conclusion __________________________________________________________________________ 5
6. Appendix ____________________________________________________________________________ 6
6.1. Recorded Data ___________________________________________________________________________ 6
Table of Figures
Figure 1. Mohr Westphal Balance ______________________________________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 1 Ammeter Thermistor _________________________________________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 3 Hot Plate __________________________________________________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 4 Graphed Data ______________________________________________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 1 Raw Data ___________________________________________________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
1. Abstract
The objective of this lab is to determine how viscosity varies in respect to temperature for the sample of oil. To
conduct these experiment two different devices were used: Hoeppler Viscometer and Stormer Viscometer. After
conducting the experiment and gathering experimental data for temperature and time for both methods, the data
was used in conjunction with provided experimental equation’s to solve for kinetic viscosity. Temperature and
kinetic viscosity were plotted and an exponential trend was found for both methods. From the acquired results,
it was concluded that kinetic viscosity decreases with temperature, as expected. Furthermore, the temperature
versus kinetic viscosity data sets were linearized and plotted. The purpose of this is to standardize the data since
the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) publishes their data results for kinetic viscosity versus
temperature as a straight line. To verify experimental results, publish data was found to compare with. Based on
the found the results the experimental data shows the specific gravity and increases in temperature are inversely
proportional, meaning that as temperature rises specific gravity decreases and inversely as temperature
decreases specific gravity increases. From the data gathered a plot was made and a liner fit was done which
gave the equation :
y = -0.0005x + 0.8415
In which y is the specific gravity and x is the temperature.

2. Introduction
The specific gravity of a substance is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of distilled water at
4oC. This temperature is used because water has its maximum density at this temperature. The specific gravity
of most liquids decreases with an increase in temperature. In this experiment a Mohr-Westphal Balance is used
to measure the variation of specific gravity with temperature for a given sample of oil. The specific gravity of
the oil is obtained by using a constant volume for the oil. If a body of constant volume is immersed in a liquid,
the corresponding loss of weight from buoyancy is proportional to the weights of equal volumes of the liquid. If
one of these liquids is water, the specific gravity of the unknown liquid may be obtained. The loss of weight in
an unknown liquid divided by the loss of weight in water gives the weight of the liquid compared to an equal
volume of water.

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2.1. Tools and Equations

Figure 2. Mohr Westphal Balance

Figure 3 Ammeter Thermistor

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Figure 4 Hot Plate

3. Procedure
1. Familiarize yourself with the operation of the Mohr-Westphal balance.
2. Level the instrument.
3. Place the balance arm in proper position on the knife edge.
4. Suspend the plummet in position at one end of the balance arm and submerge it in water. Place the 5 g rider
on the notch directly on top of the plummet (Notch 10).
5. Adjust the knurled nut at the other end of the balance arm such that the balance arm is horizontal. The
reference pointers on the frame of the unit must be aligned. Measure the water temperature at room
temperature.
6. Place the oil sample in a graduated cylinder and place the cylinder in a water bath to control the temperature
of the oil. The first reading will be in room temp.

7. Completely submerge the plummet in the oil sample. Make sure that it does not touch the sides or bottom of
the graduated cylinder.
8. Bring the arm to balance approximately horizontal by placing the weights provided (5 g, 0.5 g, and 0.05 g) on
the notches of the balance arm. If two or more weights are to be hung from the same location, place the
heavier weight in the notch and hang the lighter weight from the heavier weights.
9. Heat the water bath moderately to bring the balance to almost horizontal.
10. Locate the thermocouple so that the probe is as close to the midpoint of the plummet as possible without
touching. When the arm balances, read the temperature of the oil using the digital thermocouple meter.
11. Record the locations of the weights used on the balance arm.
12. Repeat above three steps by reducing 0.002 specific gravity until the 65oC is attained. Make sure at least 5
measurements are taken.

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4. Results and Discussion
Using the raw data attained in the experiment a Table 1 was made so that the data could be plotted and curve fit.
Temp(°C) S.G
22.7 0.832
24.1 0.83
24.3 0.828
25.3 0.826
42.4 0.824
45.4 0.822
47.5 0.82
52.2 0.818
53.6 0.816
55.3 0.814
58.6 0.812
61.2 0.81
67.5 0.808
Table 1 Raw Data

Once plotted, plot is shown in Figure 4 the data clearly demonstrates that specific gravity will decrease with an
increase in temperature, meaning that the specific gravity is inversely proportional to the rise in temperature.
This is due to the relationship between specific gravity and density. A fluids specific gravity is equal to the
density of the fluid divided by the density of water at a reference temperature. Another way to look at is to look
at the properties of density which is equal to mass divided by volume. Increasing the temperature of the fluid
will increase the volume and lower the density which in turn lowers the specific gravity.

S.G vs Temperature
0.835
0.83
Specific gravity

0.825
0.82
SG-Temp
0.815
Linear (SG-Temp)
0.81
y = -0.0005x + 0.8415
0.805 R² = 0.9415
0 20 40 60 80
Temperature (C)

Figure 5 Graphed Data

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Using the Mobil One website the specific gravity of their oil was found to be .8692 at what is assumed to 15.6
degrees Celsius. No standard was found and the Mobil data sheet doesn’t give a temperature at which the
specific gravity is measured. Looking at the online site, engineeringtoolbox, their specific gravity is measured at
15.6, which is why the assumption was made for the Mobil data sheet, and their specific gravity is ranged from
.88-.94 at that temperature. Looking at Figure 4 it can be noted that the specific gravity, for the Mobil data sheet
and toolbox, are higher than that of which is present by the data. The discrepancy may be due to the lack of data
at lower temperatures, looking at the first 4 plot points it can be seen the specific gravity sharply drops as
temperature increases, inversely the specific gravity may sharply rise as temperature decreases causing the
values to be within their expected ranges. Another possible problem with the experiment was that the Mohr
Balance was never exactly in the middle when values were read, this was due to an imbalance in the weights
and the form in which they were hung onto the apparatus. Since the scale was never fully in center the values
were approximated and are thus subject to error.

5. Conclusion
The experimental data did not match up with the data sheets found. The data did demonstrate that specific
gravity and temperature are inversely proportional. The exercise can be improved by using weight that correctly
attach to the Mohr balance so that the readings are not thrown off by defects of the equipment. A longer
connection to the plummet will help keep the weights from touching or getting near the water which will help
with the accuracy of the experiment.

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6. Appendix
6.1. Munson, B. R. (2013). Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
6.2. Recorded Data
6.3. Reference URL for publish data:
https://www.mobil.com/english-mx/industrial/pds/glxxmobil-special-10w30-20w50

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