Tag: non-Newtonian fluids

In a charming letter published in 1774, Benjamin Franklin described an experiment in which he had poured “not more than a teaspoonful” of oil onto a pond, which he found sufficient to calm the water despite a choppy wind. What, you may be wondering, connects Franklin, ponds, tears, and salad dressing? In the last “What … Continue reading How are tears like salad dressing? — What is biophysics? #9

You’re full of amazing liquids. How can a liquid be amazing? One way is to have properties that change depending on how strongly the liquid is pushed. The speed at which a fluid flows depends on the force that’s driving it, and the proportionality between force and flow is known as the viscosity of the … Continue reading How are tears like ketchup? — What is biophysics? #8