I like non-newtonian fluids, they're pretty cool things.
To understand what a non newtonian fluid is consider water. At a given temperature the thickness, or resistance to flow (viscosity), of the water is always the same. The same is true for most other everyday fluids. Water is therefore defined as a newtonian fluid
A non-newtonian fluid has a viscosity that depends on the amount of shear force it is experiencing. Think, for example, of silly putty or a mixture of water and cornstarch. If you hit a water-cornstarch mixture it feels solid, but the second you stop stressing it, it flows like olive oil. An incredibly weird feeling.
I remember when I was little getting lots of enjoyment out of making little balls of cornstarch solution then hurling them at the wall so they bounce right off then catching them and watching the solid bouncy ball turn quickly turn into a puddle of liquid. (if you have never messed around with cornstarch, go and do it. Seriously)
This is an awesome demonstration of the non-newtonian propeties of a cornstarch and water mix.
It gets extra spectacular at the end when one guy is swimming around in the water and the other is standing on the surface
edit: Also looks like the status of my visit to Australia has been changed from definite to probable. Why can't I get a firm answer about anything at the moment!
To understand what a non newtonian fluid is consider water. At a given temperature the thickness, or resistance to flow (viscosity), of the water is always the same. The same is true for most other everyday fluids. Water is therefore defined as a newtonian fluid
A non-newtonian fluid has a viscosity that depends on the amount of shear force it is experiencing. Think, for example, of silly putty or a mixture of water and cornstarch. If you hit a water-cornstarch mixture it feels solid, but the second you stop stressing it, it flows like olive oil. An incredibly weird feeling.
I remember when I was little getting lots of enjoyment out of making little balls of cornstarch solution then hurling them at the wall so they bounce right off then catching them and watching the solid bouncy ball turn quickly turn into a puddle of liquid. (if you have never messed around with cornstarch, go and do it. Seriously)
This is an awesome demonstration of the non-newtonian propeties of a cornstarch and water mix.
It gets extra spectacular at the end when one guy is swimming around in the water and the other is standing on the surface
edit: Also looks like the status of my visit to Australia has been changed from definite to probable. Why can't I get a firm answer about anything at the moment!
Labels: science, sciencevideo, youtube
