Dynamic Viscosity Converter - Convert Pa·s, cP, P & More Units
Result:
1 Pa·s = 1000 cP
What is Dynamic Viscosity?
What
Dynamic viscosity measures how thick a fluid is. It shows how much a fluid resists flowing when force is applied.
Why
We measure dynamic viscosity to choose the right fluids for engines, pumps, and manufacturing processes.
Applications
Used in automotive, chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and oil industries for quality control and product design.
Simple Explanation
Think of honey and water. Honey flows slowly because it has high dynamic viscosity. Water flows quickly because it has low dynamic viscosity.
Dynamic viscosity tells us exactly how much force we need to make a fluid flow at a certain speed. This helps engineers design better machines and choose the right materials.
Common Examples of Dynamic Viscosity
Water (20°C)
1.0 cP (centipoise)
Very low viscosity - flows easily
Motor Oil SAE 30
200-300 cP
Medium viscosity - good for engines
Honey
2,000-10,000 cP
High viscosity - flows slowly
Blood (37°C)
3-4 cP
Low viscosity - flows through vessels
Ketchup
50,000-70,000 cP
Very high viscosity - thick liquid
Air (20°C)
0.018 cP
Extremely low viscosity - gas
Temperature Effects
Dynamic viscosity changes with temperature. Most liquids become less viscous when heated and more viscous when cooled.
For example, motor oil flows better when warm, which is why engines need time to warm up in cold weather.
How Dynamic Viscosity Conversion Works
Input Value
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Convert
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Dynamic Viscosity Formulas
Pa·s to Centipoise (cP)
cP = Pa·s × 1000
Example: 0.5 Pa·s = 0.5 × 1000 = 500 cP
Centipoise to Poise
P = cP ÷ 100
Example: 500 cP = 500 ÷ 100 = 5 P
Poise to Pa·s
Pa·s = P × 0.1
Example: 5 P = 5 × 0.1 = 0.5 Pa·s
mPa·s to cP
cP = mPa·s × 1
Example: 100 mPa·s = 100 × 1 = 100 cP
Dynamic Viscosity Conversion Table
| Pa·s | cP | P | mPa·s | μPa·s | lbf·s/ft² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0001 | 0.1 | 0.001 | 0.1 | 100 | 0.000002 |
| 0.001 | 1.0 | 0.010 | 1.0 | 1000 | 0.000021 |
| 0.01 | 10.0 | 0.100 | 10.0 | 10000 | 0.000209 |
| 0.1 | 100.0 | 1.000 | 100.0 | 100000 | 0.002089 |
| 0.5 | 500.0 | 5.000 | 500.0 | 500000 | 0.010443 |
| 1 | 1000.0 | 10.000 | 1000.0 | 1000000 | 0.020885 |
| 2 | 2000.0 | 20.000 | 2000.0 | 2000000 | 0.041771 |
| 5 | 5000.0 | 50.000 | 5000.0 | 5000000 | 0.104427 |
| 10 | 10000.0 | 100.000 | 10000.0 | 10000000 | 0.208854 |
| 20 | 20000.0 | 200.000 | 20000.0 | 20000000 | 0.417709 |
| 50 | 50000.0 | 500.000 | 50000.0 | 50000000 | 1.044272 |
| 100 | 100000.0 | 1000.000 | 100000.0 | 100000000 | 2.088543 |
| 200 | 200000.0 | 2000.000 | 200000.0 | 200000000 | 4.177087 |
| 500 | 500000.0 | 5000.000 | 500000.0 | 500000000 | 10.442717 |
| 1000 | 1000000.0 | 10000.000 | 1000000.0 | 1000000000 | 20.885434 |
Viscosity Units Progression Chart
0.001 Pa·s
0.01 Pa·s
0.1 Pa·s
1 Pa·s
10 Pa·s
100 Pa·s
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity measures resistance to flow under applied force. Kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by fluid density. Dynamic viscosity uses units like Pa·s or cP, while kinematic viscosity uses m²/s or cSt.
Why is centipoise (cP) commonly used?
Centipoise is convenient because water at room temperature has a viscosity of about 1 cP. This makes it easy to compare other fluids to water. Most common liquids have viscosities between 0.1 and 10,000 cP.
How does temperature affect dynamic viscosity?
For most liquids, viscosity decreases as temperature increases. For gases, viscosity increases with temperature. This is why motor oil flows better when warm and why honey becomes thicker when cold.
What industries use dynamic viscosity measurements?
Automotive (engine oils), food (sauces, beverages), pharmaceutical (medicines), chemical (paints, adhesives), petroleum (crude oil, fuels), and cosmetics (lotions, creams) industries all rely on viscosity measurements.
How is dynamic viscosity measured?
Dynamic viscosity is measured using viscometers. Common types include rotational viscometers (spindle rotating in fluid), capillary viscometers (time for fluid to flow through tube), and falling ball viscometers (speed of ball falling through fluid).
What is the SI unit for dynamic viscosity?
The SI unit is Pascal second (Pa·s). One Pa·s equals 1000 centipoise (cP) or 10 poise (P). Pa·s is used in scientific calculations, while cP is more common in industry because of its convenient scale.
Practice Problems
Problem 1:
Convert 2.5 Pa·s to centipoise
Solution: 2.5 × 1000 = 2500 cP
Problem 2:
Convert 850 cP to poise
Solution: 850 ÷ 100 = 8.5 P
Problem 3:
Convert 15 P to Pa·s
Solution: 15 × 0.1 = 1.5 Pa·s
Problem 4:
Convert 500 mPa·s to Pa·s
Solution: 500 × 0.001 = 0.5 Pa·s
Problem 5:
Convert 0.02 Pa·s to μPa·s
Solution: 0.02 ÷ 0.000001 = 20,000 μPa·s
What is Dynamic Viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity is how thick or thin a liquid is. Think of it like this: water flows easily because it has low viscosity. Honey flows slowly because it has high viscosity. The thicker the liquid, the higher its dynamic viscosity.
We measure dynamic viscosity in different units. The most common ones are Pascal seconds (Pa·s), centipoise (cP), and poise (P). Scientists and engineers use these measurements to understand how liquids behave.
Understanding dynamic viscosity helps in many areas. It helps choose the right motor oil for your car. It helps make better paints and cosmetics. It even helps doctors understand blood flow in your body.
Common Dynamic Viscosity Examples
Low Viscosity (Thin Liquids)
Medium Viscosity
High Viscosity (Thick Liquids)
Industrial Fluids
How Dynamic Viscosity Works
What Affects Viscosity
Several things change how thick or thin a liquid is. Temperature is the biggest factor. Most liquids get thinner when heated and thicker when cooled.
Factors that affect viscosity:
- • Temperature (heat makes liquids thinner)
- • Pressure (high pressure makes liquids thicker)
- • Chemical composition (what the liquid is made of)
- • Molecular size (bigger molecules = thicker liquid)
Measuring Viscosity
We measure viscosity by seeing how hard it is to move through a liquid. Think of stirring honey versus stirring water. Honey is much harder to stir.
Common measurement methods:
- • Rotational viscometer (spinning rod in liquid)
- • Capillary tube (time for liquid to flow through tube)
- • Falling ball (time for ball to fall through liquid)
- • Cup viscometer (time to empty a cup)
Temperature Example
Motor oil shows this clearly. Cold oil in winter is very thick (high viscosity). When your engine warms up, the oil becomes thinner (lower viscosity) and flows better. This is why cars are harder to start in cold weather.
Understanding Viscosity Units
Pascal Second (Pa·s)
This is the official scientific unit. It's part of the metric system.
Used in: Scientific research, engineering calculations
Centipoise (cP)
The most common unit in industry. Water has 1 cP at room temperature.
Used in: Oil industry, paint, cosmetics, food
Poise (P)
An older unit, but still used sometimes. 1 P = 100 cP.
Used in: Some older technical documents
The centipoise is named after Jean Poiseuille, a French scientist who studied fluid flow. The unit makes it easy to compare different liquids. Water is always 1 cP at 20°C, so you can compare everything to water.
Daily Uses of Dynamic Viscosity
Car Maintenance
Motor oil viscosity ratings (like 5W-30) tell you how thick the oil is. This helps protect your engine in different weather.
Cooking
Honey, syrup, and cooking oils have different viscosities. This affects how they pour and mix with other ingredients.
Home Improvement
Paint viscosity affects how smoothly it applies and covers surfaces. Thicker paint covers better but is harder to spread.
Health and Medicine
Blood viscosity helps doctors understand circulation problems. Thicker blood can cause health issues.
Beauty Products
Shampoo, lotion, and makeup viscosity affects how they feel and apply. The right thickness makes products easier to use.
Weather Effects
Cold weather makes liquids thicker. This is why car oil, antifreeze, and even ketchup behave differently in winter.
Tips for Working with Viscosity
Practical Tips
- •Warm thick liquids to make them flow easier
- •Store honey and syrup in warm places for easier pouring
- •Let your car warm up in cold weather for better oil flow
- •Thin paint with appropriate solvents if it's too thick
Safety Notes
- •Be careful when heating thick liquids - they can splatter
- •Use proper protective equipment when handling industrial fluids
- •Check temperature ratings before heating any liquid
- •Never mix different types of oils or chemicals
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity measures how thick a liquid is. Kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by the liquid's density. Think of it this way: dynamic viscosity is like measuring how hard it is to stir honey. Kinematic viscosity considers how heavy the honey is too.
Why does viscosity change with temperature?
When you heat a liquid, the molecules move faster and have more energy. This makes them slide past each other more easily, so the liquid becomes thinner. When you cool a liquid, molecules move slower and stick together more, making the liquid thicker.
What does the "W" in motor oil ratings mean?
The "W" stands for "Winter." In oil ratings like 5W-30, the first number (5W) tells you how thick the oil is when cold. The second number (30) tells you how thick it is when hot. Lower numbers mean thinner oil that flows better in cold weather.
How do I measure viscosity at home?
You can do simple tests at home. Pour different liquids through a funnel and time how long each takes. Water will be fastest, honey will be slowest. For more accurate measurements, you need special tools called viscometers that professionals use.
Why is blood viscosity important for health?
Blood that's too thick (high viscosity) makes your heart work harder to pump it. This can lead to high blood pressure and other problems. Blood that's too thin might not clot properly when you get cut. Normal blood viscosity is about 4 times thicker than water.
Can I thin thick paint or oil?
Yes, but be careful. For paint, use the thinner recommended by the manufacturer. For cooking oils, gentle heating works. Never thin motor oil - use the correct grade for your engine. Always check the product instructions before adding anything.
What's the most viscous liquid?
Pitch (a tar-like substance) is extremely viscous - about 100 billion times thicker than water. There's a famous experiment where pitch has been dripping from a funnel since 1927, and only 9 drops have fallen! Glass is technically a very viscous liquid too.
How accurate are viscosity converters?
Our converter uses standard conversion factors and is very accurate for most purposes. However, remember that viscosity changes with temperature and pressure. For critical applications, always measure viscosity under the exact conditions you'll be using the liquid.