Results and Discussion

For the comparison of two different liquids, equation 1, where η1, ρ1, and t1 and η2, ρ2, and t2 are
the viscosities, densities, and flow times for liquids 1 and 2, is used. If the viscosity, density, and flow time
of one liquid is known, then the viscosity of the unknown liquid can be found. (Levine, 2009)

η1 = η2 · ρ1 · t1 · ρ2-1 · t2-1
Equation 1

The water used to calibrate the Ostwald Viscometers is assumed to be at 27℃. Therefore, the
values used for its density and viscosity are 0.99654 g cm-3 and 8.525 x 10-3 g cm-1 s-1 or 0.8525 cP
(centipoise), respectively (Garland, et al).

2 1.872052
1.8
1.6 1.488418

1.4 1.286185
Vicosity (cP)

1.2 1.078479
0.938386
1
0.8
0.6 Viscosity
0.4
0.2
0
5 10 15 20 25
Percent Solution (%)

Figure 1. Concentration of Sucrose Solution vs Viscosity of Solution

The viscosity of the sucrose solution varied directly as the concentration of the solution (Figure
1). As the amount of sucrose in the solution increased, the viscosity of the solution also increased.
 1.2
1.067273
0.973053
1 0.903643
0.8421
0.794408
0.8
Vicosity (cP)

0.6
Viscosity
0.4

0.2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Percent Solution (%)

Figure 2. Concentration of Sodium Chloride Solution vs Viscosity of Solution

The sodium chloride solution also demonstrates the direct proportionality of the concertation of
the solution to its viscosity (Figure 2).

2.5

1.902586 1.916514 1.911021

2
1.679124
Vicosity (cP)

1.5 1.268447

1
Viscosity
0.5

0
15 30 45 60 75
Percent Solution (%)

Figure 3. Concentration of Ethanol vs Viscosity of Solution

Ethanol generally shows that as the concentration of the solution increases, its viscosity also
increases (Figure 3).

Overall, the trend shown by the graphs is that viscosity is directly proportional to the
concentration of the solution.

Sucrose is determined to have the greatest effect to the viscosity of a solution among the samples.
When it is broken down into macromolecules, the size is relatively bigger. The obstruction of the flow of
water is more effectively achieved; thus, the viscosity of the solution increases (Alberty & Silbey, 1997).
On the other hand, ethanol had the least effect on the viscosity of the solution. The broken down
macromolecules of ethanol may not be large enough to block the flow of water molecules effectually.

However, despite the 15% increase on the concentration of ethanol in the solution, the viscosity
of the solution slightly decreased. This contradicts the general theory that the concentration and the
viscosity of a solution are directly proportional (ScienceGeek.net, n.d.). This may be due to the
evaporation of ethanol before water was added, resulting to the decrease in the number of solute
added; the ethanol solutions were last prepared.