A theory of the viscosity of liquids

Abstract

As is well known, the viscosity of gases and its variation with temperature has received a satisfactory explanation on the basis of molecular theory. Little progress has, however, been made towards explaining the phenomena of the viscosity of condensed media-that is, of liquids and solids from a molecular point of view. What is evidently required is a working hypothesis which will indicate why, when a substance passes from the state of vapour to that of liquid, its absolute viscosity is greatly increased but diminishes with rising temperature, while that of the vapour increases in the same circumstances. I propose in this note to put forward briefly the outline of a theory which appears to have claims to serious consideration, as it indicates a quantitative relation between the viscosity of a liquid and of the corresponding vapour which is supported by the experimental data.