Skip to content
Know.itKnow.it
Create an animated lesson
On request

This article is free to read. Creating a lesson uses your daily or stored credits; review the language and settings before starting.

What is viscosity?

ScienceLesson on requestFree to read

Quick answer

Viscosity is a measure of how much a fluid resists flowing — basically, how 'thick' it is. Honey has high viscosity and pours slowly; water has low viscosity and flows easily. It depends on the fluid and changes with temperature.

Key things to understand

  1. It measures a fluid's resistance to flowing.
  2. High viscosity = thick and slow (honey); low = thin and fast (water).
  3. It comes from internal friction between fluid layers.
  4. Heating usually lowers a liquid's viscosity.

People also ask

What is viscosity?
A measure of how much a fluid resists flowing — how thick or thin it is.
Why is honey more viscous than water?
Its molecules cling together more strongly, creating more internal friction and slower flow.
Does temperature affect viscosity?
Yes — heating usually makes liquids less viscous (thinner) and flow more easily.