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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/eng-viscosity-fluid-friction

What property measures a fluid's resistance to shearing flow?

That property is dynamic viscosity.

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  1. Density
  2. Dynamic viscosity ✔
  3. Buoyancy

Why: Viscosity represents internal friction between neighboring fluid layers. A high-viscosity liquid needs more shear force to produce the same velocity gradient.

Huh, didn't know that: The SI unit of dynamic viscosity is the pascal-second, Pa s.

The dad joke
Syrup moves slowly because it likes to stick with the group.
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References

Answer: Dynamic viscosity. Viscosity represents internal friction between neighboring fluid layers. A high-viscosity liquid needs more shear force to produce the same velocity gradient.

  1. OpenStax University Physics Volume 1, Viscosity and Turbulence openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/14-7-viscosity-and-turbulence
    We call this property of fluids viscosity. Juice has low viscosity, whereas syrup has high viscosity.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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