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I'd like to calculate the viscosity of a liquid in a container systematically (and feed the results back to a computer). I only have basic knowledge of physics and mechanics.

I think that a motor with a tiny "windmill" constantly turning inside the liquid would be enough because someone one could measure the current and voltage being supplied to the motor and then somehow link that back to the force which the motor is putting in. I'm hoping that there's a formula to link force and volume of liquid moved to viscosity.

Does this sound like a good approach and if not, why?

If it is a good approach, how would I go about calculating liquid viscosity from the original data and what sorts of measurements would need to be taken?

Lucien
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    Viscosity is one of the more difficult property measurements. Check out the more typical ways its measured here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscometer. What fluid are using? – ericksonla Jun 05 '18 at 18:56
  • You will need to identify Newtonian, thixotropic and rheopectic fluids... – Solar Mike Jun 05 '18 at 18:57
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    And this should be interesting : https://smp.uq.edu.au/pitch-drop-experiment – Solar Mike Jun 05 '18 at 18:58
  • No matter which approach you take, calibration will be very difficult. You'll need to maintain pressure and temperature precisely, and try to trace well-known fluids back to published values for their viscosities. – Carl Witthoft Jun 06 '18 at 18:59
  • @ericksonla interesting- the fluid is mostly water with some additions that change its viscosity – Lucien Jun 06 '18 at 21:56
  • @SolarMike ahh I remember being shown that in my Physics class a couple of years ago (discussing whether states) – Lucien Jun 06 '18 at 21:57
  • @CarlWitthoft I see but taking underwater temperature and pressure measurements wouldn't be an issue – Lucien Jun 06 '18 at 21:58

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