Concept:
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow or deformation.
• Fluids are classified based on how their viscosity reacts to applied stress.
• Newtonian fluids (like water) follow Newton's law of viscosity.
Step 1: Defining Newtonian Behavior.
For Newtonian fluids, the viscosity remains constant regardless of the shear rate (the speed at which the fluid is stirred or pushed).
Step 2: Identifying Non-Newtonian Behavior.
Non-Newtonian fluids are those whose viscosity changes depending on the shear rate or the duration of the stress.
This is known as "Variable viscosity."
Examples include blood, paint, and many fermentation broths in bioprocess engineering.
Final Answer:
Non-Newtonian fluids are characterized by having Variable viscosity.