MEMORANDUM To: From: Subject: Date: Professor Karen Thompson Casey Scott Writing to Define and Describe May

25, 2013

Here is the information you requested about writing to define and describe. This memo presents the audience, problem, placement, visuals, and rhetorical moves used. In addition the term being defined and described is viscosity. Audience The intended audiences for this memo are those whom are novice to the idea of fluidic flow, or future sophomores and juniors planning to take (Engr. 335) an engineering fluid mechanics course. The audience will need to have a basic understanding of how a fluid flows through closed or open systems. They will also need to understand basic types of flow including laminar and turbulent. These terms will be explained in the extended definition. Problem Various viscosities in a fluid prevent overheating, improper lubrication, and inefficient flow. It is important for those being introduced to the term viscosity, to understand what viscosity is. The use of different fluids depends on the task at hand that someone is dealing with. By defining and describing viscous fluids will allow beginning learners to comprehend what the change in viscosity does, and how to determine when to use a high or low volume viscous fluid. Placement In order to help the potential new hire of an industrial fluid company, or the next generation of students taking engineering fluid mechanics, you must have proper placement of material to allow for knowledge consumption. The preeminent placement for the extended technical definition would be in a class syllabus or the companys orientation folder. This introduces the topic of viscosity, helping those new to the term understand what viscosity is and where itcomes into play in the midst of real world applications. The developed technical description would then be placed within a PowerPoint slide that uses visuals in order to describe when to use a high or low volume viscous fluid. Visuals The visuals incorporated into the developed technical description are viscosity graphs and flow diagrams. The viscosity graphs illustrate common used fluids and allow individuals to visually measure the viscosity of a fluid they need or what type of fluid would work best with the project they are working on. The flow diagrams are important because it shows how flow moves through different pipes. These diagrams will also demonstrate why a high volume viscous fluid flows slower than a low viscous fluid.

Professor Karen Thompson

May 25, 2013

Rhetorical Moves The rhetorical moves I used in this paper are audience analysis, informative, descriptive, logic, and chronological order. In the audience analysis I formed words around which the audience would better understand and comprehend. As far as informative, I tried using as much information as possible although it was a little repetitive. I also focused on presenting examples to help draw a picture in the audiences mind. Descriptively, I used as much description that I felt was needed to get the main points across. I followed a logical structure throughout my paper to keep good flow and interconnect information. I also used this method so that elaborate and emphasize my main points. I felt this would provide good credibility through scientific logic. Finally, I formatted my paper in chronological order so that the paper was easier to follow.

Professor Karen Thompson

May 25, 2013

Extended Technical Definition The viscosity of a fluid measures the resistance to deformation under shear and tensile stresses. In many substances the viscosity changes due to a change in temperature. A good example is bacon grease. When heated up the particles are small and move freely. In this state the grease has a low viscosity because the particles have a small amount of friction between them. If you were to then take that hot grease and set it in the refrigerator the viscosity will become higher as the particles become bigger creating more friction between each other. The high friction between particle cause low to almost no velocity is some instances. Every liquid has viscosity. Depending on different molecular structured fluids the friction between particles can be greater producing a high viscous fluid or to friction can be small producing a very low viscous fluid. A good example of this would be water and oil. Fluids move through either closed systems or open systems. Knowing what kind of system a substance has to flow through determines if a high or low viscosity fluid need to be used. Open System. An open system is a system that is usually open to the environment where water only flows through once and does not circulate back through the same place. Closed System. A closed system is the contrary of an open system in that its flow circulates through the same process over and over again. When a fluid is passing through an open or closed system it goes through two types of flow. The two types of flow any liquid can have are laminar, turbulent or a fluctuation between both. Laminar Flow. Laminar flow occurs when flowing in parallel. It has no rough surfaces or disruptions between the parallel layers. Turbulent Flow. Turbulent flow is an irregular flow due to changing velocity of nonviscous fluids. Understanding how a substance will flow through different section of a system will also help determine what type of fluid is needed. Above you may notice that a turbulent flow usually is caused by a non-viscous fluid. Although confusing this holds true. Most fluids that are used in turbulent flow processes have low viscosity to them. The reason for this is because the fluid used needs to have a low amount of friction between each particle so that when in turbulent form the fluid flows smoothly at different velocities. The oil that lubricates gears is a good example of this. As mentioned above temperature affects the viscosity of a fluid very quickly. It is important to define what the fluid is going to be used for. If you want a fluid that does not change viscosity over a wide range of temperature for instance an engine, you will want to use oil thats molecular structure does not drastically change over an increase of temperature. But if you want to make ice cream then milk would be the perfect as it will thicken as it is whipped and frozen.

Professor Karen Thompson

May 25, 2013

Developed Technical Description Being able to comprehend the term viscosity takes a lot of description. Below are a few key descriptions that will simplify and describe viscosity. What viscosity does? When working on an engine use a coolant that helps cool and lubricate the rotating mechanisms inside. Different engines may need different fluids depending on the molecular makeup (viscosity). Viscosity is used in many applications to help cool, lubricate, and help a system run smoothly. When using a closed or open system the viscosity of a liquid is important so that the fluid flows smoothly at the rate wanted without making obstruction in the flow path. In an open system the viscosity can range from low to high depending with the application at hand. In an open system the fluid has a lower velocity near the bottom where the fluid is against the stationary boundary. Toward the surface of the boundary the fluids velocity increases because there is no friction acting against the molecules in the fluid. This changes when a fluid is in a closed system. With a closed system the viscosity must be low in volume so that the fluid doesnt move too slowly causing inefficient flow. Since the fluid is touching both top and bottom surfaces, there is a high amount of friction acting on the outside of the flow pattern. Looking toward the middle, the fluids velocity is at its highest point because it is where the molecules are most free to move. The viscosity of a fluid helps the flow through each of these systems in the manner need for a process to work.

Figure 1) Diagram of how fluid flows in different systems

How does it work? Viscosity is determined by the molecular structure of a fluid. As fluids are heated up their molecular structure creates smaller particles becoming fluidic. Others in their normal state or in a cold state have a molecular structure that bonds closer together creating bigger molecules making it have a higher viscosity.

Figure 2) Different fluids with different molecular structures and viscositys

Professor Karen Thompson

May 25, 2013

How is viscosity measured? Viscosity is measured using the density (), gravity (g), radius (r), and velocity ().

Figure 3) Viscosity Equation

Viscosity can also be measured by referencing viscosity graphs in most fluid mechanics books. Below is a graph of absolute viscositys and kinematic viscosities.

Figure 5) Kinematic viscosity

Figure 4) Absolute viscosity

Conclusion Viscosity is an important aspect when a design or process uses fluid. Understanding what viscosity is and how it works in different system is important to obtain the right flow through the system. Always think about what you are planning to achieve when implementing fluids so that you can calculate and choose which viscous fluid would be the most suitable, efficient and effect in wide range temperature changes.