specific viscosity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “specific viscosity” mean?
A dimensionless number expressing the relative resistance to flow of a polymer solution compared to the pure solvent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dimensionless number expressing the relative resistance to flow of a polymer solution compared to the pure solvent.
In rheology and polymer science, it is calculated as (solution viscosity - solvent viscosity) / solvent viscosity, quantifying the incremental viscosity contributed by the polymer itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. Spelling conventions follow the standard UK/US patterns (e.g., 'behaviour' vs. 'behavior' in surrounding text, but 'viscosity' is spelled identically).
Connotations
None beyond its precise technical definition.
Frequency
Equally rare outside of materials science, polymer chemistry, and related engineering fields in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “specific viscosity” in a Sentence
The specific viscosity of [POLYMER] in [SOLVENT] was measured.[VALUE] is the specific viscosity.A plot of specific viscosity vs. concentration.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in polymer chemistry, materials science, and rheology papers.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary and exclusive context for this term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “specific viscosity”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “specific viscosity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “specific viscosity”
- Using 'specific' as a general adjective (e.g., 'a specific kind of viscosity').
- Confusing it with 'intrinsic viscosity' (the limit of specific viscosity/concentration as concentration approaches zero).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Specific viscosity is the dimensionless relative increase. Intrinsic viscosity is the limit of (specific viscosity / concentration) as concentration approaches zero, representing the polymer's hydrodynamic volume.
It is dimensionless (a ratio of viscosities), so it has no units.
Polymer chemistry, rheology, materials science, and chemical engineering, particularly when working with solutions of macromolecules.
No, by definition it is a ratio where the solution viscosity is equal to or greater than the solvent viscosity, so its value is ≥ 0.
A dimensionless number expressing the relative resistance to flow of a polymer solution compared to the pure solvent.
Specific viscosity is usually technical / scientific in register.
Specific viscosity: in British English it is pronounced /spɪˌsɪf.ɪk vɪˈskɒs.ɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɪˌsɪf.ɪk vɪˈskɑː.sə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think SPECIFIC to the polymer: it's the EXTRA stickiness (viscosity) a polymer adds SPECIFICALLY, beyond the solvent's own.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISCOSITY IS RESISTANCE / THICKNESS. SPECIFIC is the FINGERPRINT or SIGNATURE of the polymer's contribution.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'specific' in 'specific viscosity' primarily indicate?