Lab

14.
To determine the viscosity of wa-

ter by Meyer’s oscillating disk
method
Experiment 14(V)
Theory
If a disk undergoes torsional oscillations about its symmetry

axis in a fluid medium, it does not push aside any additional
fluid while executing this motion. The fluid in contact with the
disk then remains at rest with respect to it, while the fluid far
away is at rest with respect to the enclosure/container. so a
transverse velocity gradient is set up in the fluid, and this in
turn causes a viscous force to act and damp out the oscillations.
Oscar Meyer suggested measuring the decay of these oscillations
to find the viscosity of a liquid.
The equation to a harmonic oscillator undergoing torsional os-
190 PYP100: First Year B.Tech. Physics Laboratory IIT Delhi
cillations is.
d2 θ dθ
I 2 + K + τ θ = 0. (14.1)
dt dt
Here I is the moment of inertia of the oscillator, K is the damping
coefficient, τ is the restoring torque per unit twist and θ is the
oscillations (twist) angle. The solution of this equation is given
by,
! 12
2λt 2πt KT 1
θ(t) = θ0 e− T sin( + φ), λ = , T = 2πI 2
T 4 τ − K4
(14.2)
where θ0 and φ are constants of integration. The variation of
this function with time is shown in the Fig 14.1. The quantity
λ, known as the logarithmic decrement, is the logarithm of the
ratio of any two successive amplitudes on opposite sides of the
equilibrium position. Thus,
B1 C1 B2 C2 B1 C1 + B2 C2 B1 C1 + B2 C2 ... + Bn Cn
eλ = = = =
B2 C2 B3 C3 B2 C2 + B3 C3 B2 C2 + B3 C3 ... + Bn+1 Cn+1
(14.3)
th
Here Bj is the amplitude at the i turning point of the disk,
as shown in Fig.1. Thus by measuring the amplitudes on either
side of the equilibrium position, we can find out the damping
coefficient using Eq.(14.3).
In the case of a disk oscillating inside a liquid, the damping
is due to two causes: damping due to the viscous forces of the
liquid, and damping due to the friction of the wire suspension at
the support. Meyer suggested that the instrument be first used
to find the logarithmic decrement λ0 in air, where the viscous
damping is negligible, followed by a measurement of the loga-
rithmic decrement λ in the liquid. As the frictional damping at
the support is the same in both cases., this (unknown quantity)
Meyer’s disk method 191
can be eliminated by taking the difference λ − λ0 . Using this,

he was able to find a formula for the viscosity of the liquid as,
Figure 14.1: Damped Oscillations
" 2 # 2
16I 2

λ − λ0 λ − λ0
η= + (14.4)
πρT (r4 + 2r3 d)2 π π
Here,
I - moment of inertia of the torsional pendulum about the sus-
pension axis.
T - time period for one complete oscillation.
r - radius of the disk.
d - thickness of the disk.
Figure 14.2: Meyer’s Apparatus
ρ - density of the liquid.

λ - logarithmic decrement in the liquid.
ρ0 - logarithmic decrement in air.
The quantities mentioned above can all be measured directly,

except the moment of intertia of the disk which is a complex
object. To find the moment of inertia, the time period (T) of
the disk in air is found and then a ring with a known moment of
inertia Ir is placed on the disk with its center on the suspension
axis. The time period of the disk and the ring together in air(T’)
is again found, when the moment of inertia of the ring-loaded
disk is I + It . Then, we have
2 2 T2
Ir = ma ∴ I = ma (14.5)
(T 0 )2 − T 2
! 12 21 12
I I 0 I + Ir
T = 2π κ2
= and T =
τ− 4
τ τ
(14.6)
here, m is the mass, a is the average radius of the ring, i.e.,
a = (d1 +d2 )/4 where d1 and d2 are the inner and outer diameters
of the ring, respectively. Using equations (4) and.(6) we can find
the viscosity of water.
PROCEDURE
1. The apparatus consists of a flat disk attached to a short rod

passing through its center which is suspended (with the disk
remaining horizontal) by means of a phosphor bronze wire. The
central rod has a perpendicular screw with two movable masses
on opposite sides for leveling the disk. A small concave mirror
with a radius of curvature of about one meter is also mounted
on this rod (see Fig.2).
A lamp and scale arrangement is provided which is to be ad-

justed till a beam from the lamp after reflection from the concave
mirror forms a well defined circular patch of light on the scale.
The image of the cross wires on the lamp should be clearly vis-
ible on the screen. The positions of the scale and the disk are
adjusted till the equilibrium position of the spot of light is close
to the center of the scale.
2. Taking care to avoid all transverse oscillations (such as lat-

eral swing or wobble), the disk is rotated slightly to give a small
torque and left free to undergo torsional oscillations. By measur-
ing the time of 25 oscillations, the time period of the pendulum
T is found. Repeat this step once more and take the mean value
of T.
3. The given metallic ring is placed flat on the disk, so that

it’s center is as close as possible to the axis of suspension. The
time period of the pendulum T’ is now found by the procedure
described above. The mass of the ring, and the outer and inner
diameters (d1 and d2 ) of the ring are measured. Make obser-
vation tables for these measurements. (The ring may not be
exactly circular: therefore measure the diameter along different
directions and take the average value). Using these two mea-
surements and Eq.(6) the moment of inertia I of the pendulum
can be calculated. The ring can now be removed and is not
required in the rest of the experiment.
4. To measure the logarithmic decrement, the disk is again set

into torsional oscillation. When the amplitude has fallen to
approximately the full scale reading, start the readings by noting
down the reading on the scale at one extreme position, B1 C1 .
The very next reading at the outer turning point B2 C2 is then
recorded (see Fig.1).
5. After 20 complete oscillations, again record the maximum

amplitudes on both sides B41 C41 & B42 C42 . The logarithmic
decrement in air can now be found by using these readings and
Eq.(3) for 20 oscillations (i.e., for n=20) as,

1 B1 C1 + B2 C2
λ0 = ln (14.7)
40 B41 C41 + B42 C42
In general, if n is the number of oscillations, then the logarithmic

decrement is the given by

1 B1 C1 + B2 C2
λ0 = ln (14.8)
2n B2n+1 C2n+1 + B2n+2 C2n+2
Repeat the procedure for 30 and 40 oscillations to calculate λ0 .
Take the mean value of λ0 to obtain the logarithmic decrement.
6. A clean glass dish is now placed so as to contain the disk,

and water is poured into it so as to cover the disk but not sub-
merge the mirror (see Fig.2). The equilibrium position of the
light spot is now adjusted (if necessary) so that it again lies at
the center of the scale. The same procedure (as that to find the
logarithmic decrement in air) is now repeated to find the loga-
rithmic decrement λ in water. Since the oscillations in this case
are very much damped, the experiment has to be performed for
smaller number of oscillations.
Tabulate the observation for air and water as shown

in Table 1 and Table 2.
7. Using the data measured above, and the dimensions of the

disk equation (4) is used to find the viscosity of water. The
temperature of the water used must be measured and quoted
along with the result.
Observations:
Least count of vernier caliper used =

Least count of stop watch =
Least count of balance used =
Radius of the disk, r =

Thickness of the disk, d =
Outer diameter of the ring, d1 =
Inner diameter of the ring, d2 =
Average radius of the ring, a =
Mass of the ring, m =
Temperature of water =
Time required for 25 oscillations in air =
Time period in air, T =
Time required for 25 oscillations in air with ring =
Time period in air with ring, T’ =
Table 14.1: Readings for finding logarithmic decrement in Air
Trial Serial no. Maximum Amplitude λ0

number of oscillation Left(Bi Ci ) Right(Bi+ )Ci+1 ) {using Eq.(8)}
1 Start (i= 1)
n = 20 (i = 41)
2 Start (i= 1)
n = 30 (i = 61)
3 Start (i= 1)
n = 40 (i = 31)
Calculate the maximum probable error dη and write down the

precautions and sources of error.
Result:
The viscosity of water was found to be poise, at a

temperature of degrees centigrade.
Table 14.2: Readings for logarithmic decrement in Water
Trial Serial No. Maximum Amplitude λ

number of oscillation Left (Bi Ci ) Right (Bi+1 Ci+1 ) {using Eq.(8)}
1 Start ( i= 1)
n=5 (i = 11)
2 Start (i= 1)
n = 10 (i = 21)
3 Start (i= 1)
n = 15 (i = 31)

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14.

To determine the viscosity of wa-

If a disk undergoes torsional oscillations about its symmetry

can be eliminated by taking the difference λ − λ0 . Using this,

Figure 14.1: Damped Oscillations

Figure 14.2: Meyer’s Apparatus

ρ - density of the liquid.

The quantities mentioned above can all be measured directly,

1. The apparatus consists of a flat disk attached to a short rod

A lamp and scale arrangement is provided which is to be ad-

2. Taking care to avoid all transverse oscillations (such as lat-

3. The given metallic ring is placed flat on the disk, so that

4. To measure the logarithmic decrement, the disk is again set

5. After 20 complete oscillations, again record the maximum

In general, if n is the number of oscillations, then the logarithmic

6. A clean glass dish is now placed so as to contain the disk,

Tabulate the observation for air and water as shown

7. Using the data measured above, and the dimensions of the

Least count of vernier caliper used =

Radius of the disk, r =

Table 14.1: Readings for finding logarithmic decrement in Air

Trial Serial no. Maximum Amplitude λ0

Calculate the maximum probable error dη and write down the

The viscosity of water was found to be poise, at a

Table 14.2: Readings for logarithmic decrement in Water

Trial Serial No. Maximum Amplitude λ

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