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Multiple Choice
In fluid mechanics, what property describes a fluid’s resistance to flow (internal friction) and distinguishes ideal fluids (no resistance) from real fluids (with resistance)?
A
Surface tension
B
Density
C
Pressure
D
Viscosity
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the problem is asking for the property of fluids that quantifies their resistance to flow or internal friction.
Recall that surface tension refers to the elastic tendency of a fluid surface, density is mass per unit volume, and pressure is force per unit area within the fluid.
Identify that the property which measures a fluid's internal resistance to flow, distinguishing ideal fluids (which have no resistance) from real fluids (which do), is called viscosity.
Viscosity is a measure of how much a fluid resists deformation or flow, often described as the 'thickness' or 'stickiness' of the fluid.
Therefore, the correct property describing internal friction in fluids is viscosity.