By:  Zara Pascoe

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Abstract:

Can a non-Newtonian fluid hold the body mass of someone to walk on without sinking?

The objective of this project was to prove that it is possible to walk on a non-Newtonian fluid without sinking. I believe that it will be possible due to non-Newtonian fluids having special properties that do not follow Newton's law of viscosity. To demonstrate this two different body masses walked on oobleck which is a ratio of cornstarch to water. Oobleck is a type of non-Newtonian fluid. Two different body masses were tested to prove this. The first body mass tested at 36.29 kilograms was able to walk on the oobleck without sinking to the bottom. The next body mass tested at 86.18 kilograms was also able to walk on the oobleck without sinking. This project provided evidence that a non-Newtonian fluid can hold different body masses due to the unique fluid behavior, caused by polymers. Polymers are long chain molecules that come apart when shear stress or pressure is applied and therefore the fluid becomes a solid. When the shear stress or shear pressure is taken away it returns to its viscous fluid state. To conclude this demonstrates the unique behavior of non-Newtonian fluids.