Determining Viscosity

[sarahpack]

When determining how viscous a molecule will be, is the only variable how large the molecule is? Or does IMFs/bond length also play a role in how viscous the solution will be? Thank you!

[Amanda Wong 3D]

When determining how viscous a molecule will be, you would look at IMFs between the molecules because that will tell you how the molecules of a compound interact. If the molecules are larger, they are more polarizable, leading to stronger IMFs between the molecules that will hold them together and lead to a more viscous liquid.

[victoria lu 2c]

IMFs definitely do play a role in influencing viscosity. Stronger intermolecular forces means that the viscosity will also be higher. Stronger IMFs will augment resistance of a fluid's ability to flow, where molecules move with respect to each other less easily.