Question

The property of the fluid accounts for the major losses in pipes is .............

• A. density
• B. specific gravity
• C. viscosity
• D. compressibility

Hint:

Remember: Viscosity directly impacts internal resistance to flow — more viscosity, more frictional loss in pipes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Major losses in pipe flow are due to frictional resistance offered by the pipe walls to the motion of the fluid. This frictional resistance primarily depends on the viscosity of the fluid.
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to gradual deformation by shear or tensile stress. In internal flows (like those in pipes), it is the key factor influencing the frictional head loss, which is calculated using formulas such as Darcy-Weisbach or Hazen-Williams.
Other properties like density, specific gravity, and compressibility do affect fluid dynamics but are not the primary contributors to major energy losses through friction in pipes.