Viscosity
by Jennifer S.

Viscosity is the flow rate of a liquid. A liquid that has a low flow rate is a thick liquid, and has a high viscosity. But if the flow rate is high, the liquid is thin, and has a low viscosity.
For example, molasses has a low flow rate because it is so thick, ... its viscosity is high. Paint thinner has a high flow rate because it is very thin, so its viscosity is low.

The picture below shows how cooking oil has a higher flow rate than molasses; it has lower viscosity. The cooking oil will pour out faster than molasses will. Both liquids are at room temperature.



You can change the viscosity of a liquid by heating or cooling it. If you heat molasses it will become thinner, making the flow rate higher.
If you cool cooking oil it will get thicker, making the flow rate lower.
The picture below shows molasses heated up and cooking oil cooled down.




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