Relationship between permeability and viscosity of water

Permeability and viscosity are two important properties of water that are closely related to each other. The relationship between these two properties can be described as inversely proportional (option B).

Permeability
Permeability refers to the ability of a substance, such as water, to flow through a porous medium. In the context of water, it specifically refers to the ability of water to flow through soil or rock. Permeability is influenced by various factors such as the size and shape of the pores, the connectivity of the pores, and the viscosity of the fluid.

Viscosity
Viscosity, on the other hand, is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It can be thought of as the thickness or stickiness of a fluid. In the case of water, it has a relatively low viscosity compared to other liquids. Viscosity is influenced by factors such as temperature and the molecular structure of the fluid.

Inverse relationship
Permeability and viscosity have an inverse relationship, meaning that as one property increases, the other property decreases. This relationship can be understood by considering the flow of water through a porous medium.

When water flows through a porous medium, such as soil or rock, it encounters resistance due to the friction between the water molecules and the solid particles of the medium. This resistance is influenced by the viscosity of the water. If the water has a high viscosity, it will be more resistant to flow and will have a lower permeability.

Conversely, if the water has a low viscosity, it will flow more easily through the pores of the medium and will have a higher permeability. This is because the water molecules can move more freely and encounter less resistance. Therefore, a decrease in viscosity leads to an increase in permeability.

In conclusion, permeability and viscosity of water are inversely proportional to each other. As the viscosity of water decreases, its permeability increases, and vice versa. This relationship is important in various engineering applications, especially in the field of groundwater flow and soil mechanics.