Question

Which property of fluid accounts for major losses in pipes?

• A. Density
• B. Specific gravity
• C. Viscosity
• D. Compressibility

Hint:

Major losses are always associated with the length of the pipe and the viscosity of the fluid, whereas minor losses are associated with the geometry of the pipe system.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

As a fluid moves through a pipe, it rubs against the pipe wall and against its own layers, and this internal resistance to flow is what we call viscosity. Higher viscosity means more resistance, which translates directly into more friction and greater energy loss as the fluid travels down the length of the pipe. This friction based loss along the length of a pipe is exactly what the Darcy-Weisbach equation captures as the major loss, and viscosity is the property driving it.