Newtonian vs Non-Newtonian Fluid Behavior

Fluids can be grouped by how they respond to shear stress. Shear stress is a force that acts across a material, and shear strain rate describes how quickly it changes shape or flows. In this lesson, fluids are divided into Newtonian and non-Newtonian types.

Newtonian fluids follow Newton’s law of...

Fluids are classified into two main types: Newtonian and non-Newtonian. Newtonian fluids have a constant viscosity, and their shearing stress is linearly related to the shear strain rate.

The behavior of Newtonian fluids is predictable. Examples include water, air, oil, and gasoline.

Non-Newtonian fluids, however, exhibit varying v...