Three identical tubes are filled with different liquids; water, ethylene glycol, and olive oil. A small steel sphere was dropped into the tube, and the time it took to fall to the bottom was recorded. Which property of liquids is responsible for the differences in time for the sphere to fall through the liquid? (LO 11.1) (a) Surface tension (b) Boiling point (c) Viscosity (d) Vapor pressure

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Identify the property of liquids that affects the movement of objects through them. Consider how each property influences the interaction between the liquid and the object.

Understand that surface tension affects the surface of a liquid and how it interacts with objects at the surface, not those moving through the bulk of the liquid.

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Recognize that boiling point and vapor pressure are related to the phase change of the liquid, which does not directly affect the movement of an object through the liquid at constant temperature.

Consider viscosity, which is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow and deformation by stress, including internal friction. This property directly affects how easily an object can move through the liquid.

Conclude that the property responsible for the differences in the time it takes for the sphere to fall through each liquid is viscosity, as it determines the resistance encountered by the sphere moving through the liquids.

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Key Concepts

Viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes how thick or sticky a liquid is, affecting how easily objects can move through it. Higher viscosity means greater resistance, which would slow down the fall of the steel sphere. In this scenario, the differences in viscosity among water, ethylene glycol, and olive oil are the primary reason for the varying times it takes for the sphere to reach the bottom.

Density

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance and plays a crucial role in determining how objects behave in fluids. While the question focuses on the time it takes for the sphere to fall, the density of the liquids can influence buoyancy and the overall motion of the sphere. However, in this case, viscosity is the more relevant property affecting the fall time.

Drag Force

Drag force is the resistance experienced by an object moving through a fluid. It depends on the fluid's viscosity, the object's speed, and its shape. As the steel sphere falls, it encounters drag from the liquid, which varies with the viscosity of each liquid. This interaction is key to understanding why the time taken for the sphere to fall differs among the three liquids.

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Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the property of liquids that affects the movement of objects through them. Consider how each property influences the interaction between the liquid and the object.
2. Understand that surface tension affects the surface of a liquid and how it interacts with objects at the surface, not those moving through the bulk of the liquid.
3. Recognize that boiling point and vapor pressure are related to the phase change of the liquid, which does not directly affect the movement of an object through the liquid at constant temperature.
4. Consider viscosity, which is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow and deformation by stress, including internal friction. This property directly affects how easily an object can move through the liquid.
5. Conclude that the property responsible for the differences in the time it takes for the sphere to fall through each liquid is viscosity, as it determines the resistance encountered by the sphere moving through the liquids.

Key Concepts

Viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes how thick or sticky a liquid is, affecting how easily objects can move through it. Higher viscosity means greater resistance, which would slow down the fall of the steel sphere. In this scenario, the differences in viscosity among water, ethylene glycol, and olive oil are the primary reason for the varying times it takes for the sphere to reach the bottom.

Density

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance and plays a crucial role in determining how objects behave in fluids. While the question focuses on the time it takes for the sphere to fall, the density of the liquids can influence buoyancy and the overall motion of the sphere. However, in this case, viscosity is the more relevant property affecting the fall time.

Drag Force

Drag force is the resistance experienced by an object moving through a fluid. It depends on the fluid's viscosity, the object's speed, and its shape. As the steel sphere falls, it encounters drag from the liquid, which varies with the viscosity of each liquid. This interaction is key to understanding why the time taken for the sphere to fall differs among the three liquids.