WWhich fluid at room temperature requires a larger pump to move at a specified velocity in a given tube: water or engine oil? Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Engine oil requires a larger pump to move it at a specified velocity in a given tube at room temperature, as it has a higher viscosity than water at room temperature.

Step by step solution

01

Define viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. A fluid with a high viscosity is thicker and flows less easily than a fluid with a low viscosity.
02

Compare the viscosity of water and engine oil at room temperature

At room temperature (around 25°C or 77°F), the viscosity of water is approximately 0.001 Pa·s (pascal-seconds), while the viscosity of engine oil varies from around 0.05 to 0.5 Pa·s, depending on the type of oil. In general, engine oil has a higher viscosity than water at room temperature.
03

Determine the effect of viscosity on the required pump size

In order to pump a fluid at a specified velocity in a given tube, the pump must provide enough pressure to overcome the fluid's resistance to flow (its viscosity). A fluid with a higher viscosity requires more energy to pump it at the same speed compared to a fluid with a lower viscosity. Therefore, a more powerful (larger) pump is needed to pump fluids with higher viscosities.
04

Conclude which fluid requires a larger pump

Since engine oil has a higher viscosity than water at room temperature, it requires more energy to be pumped at the same specified velocity in a given tube. Thus, a larger pump is required to move engine oil compared to water at room temperature.

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