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Viscosity of Common Seed and Vegetable Oils

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C. Wes Fountain , Jeanne Jennings , Cheryl K. McKie , Patrice Oakman and Monty L. Fetterolf

Department of Chemistry, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC 29801

J. Chem. Educ., 1997, 74 (2), p 224

DOI: 10.1021/ed074p224

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 1997

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Viscosity experiments using Ostwald-type gravity flow viscometers are not new to the physical chemistry laboratory. Several physical chemistry laboratory texts (1 - 3) contain at least one experiment studying polymer solutions or other well-defined systems. Several recently published articles (4 - 8) indicated the continued interest in using viscosity measurements in the teaching lab to illustrate molecular interpretation of bulk phenomena. Most of these discussions and teaching experiments are designed around an extensive theory of viscous flow and models of molecular shape that allow a full data interpretation to be attempted. This approach to viscosity experiments may not be appropriate for all teaching situations (e.g., high schools, general chemistry labs, and nonmajor physical chemistry labs). A viscosity experiment is presented here that is designed around common seed and vegetable oils. With the importance of viscosity to foodstuffs (9) and the importance of fatty acids to nutrition (10), an experiment using these common, recognizable oils has broad appeal.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Biochemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Physical Properties

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

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Acid-Catalyzed Preparation of Biodiesel from Waste Vegetable Oil: An Experiment for the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Don Bladt, Steve Murray, Brittany Gitch, Haylee Trout, and Charles Liberko
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Preparation and Viscosity of Biodiesel from New and Used Vegetable Oil. An Inquiry-Based Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
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Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (2), 257
- Preparation and Viscosity of Biodiesel from New and Used Vegetable Oil. An Inquiry-Based Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
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  Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (2), 257
  The environmental and economic impact of relying heavily on fossil fuels has never been more apparent than in the last several years. Teaching labs should reflect the time period and the scientific concerns relevant to the lives of their students. ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links