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To convert a measurement from square meters per second to centiStokes, you use the conversion factor that 1 m²/s is equal to 1,000,000 cSt.
Example:
Convert a kinematic viscosity of 0.0005 m²/s to cSt.
0.0005 m²/s × 1,000,000 cSt/(m²/s) = 500 cSt
Answer: A kinematic viscosity of 0.0005 m²/s is equal to 500 centiStokes.
Kinematic viscosity is a measure of a fluid's inherent resistance to flow when no external force is exerted, except for gravity. It is the ratio of a fluid's dynamic viscosity (its internal 'thickness') to its density. While dynamic viscosity describes how a fluid responds to an applied force, kinematic viscosity describes how it behaves under the force of gravity alone. It answers the question: "How fast will this fluid spread out if I just pour it onto a flat surface?" A fluid with high kinematic viscosity will flow slowly and spread out less, while one with low kinematic viscosity will flow quickly and spread out widely.
This property is particularly important in fluid dynamics, especially in calculations involving the Reynolds number, which is used to predict flow patterns (laminar vs. turbulent flow). It is widely used in industries where fluid flow behavior is critical, such as the petroleum industry for characterizing fuels and lubricants, and in hydraulics. The SI unit for kinematic viscosity is square meters per second (m²/s). However, a much more common unit from the CGS system is the Stokes (St), named after the Irish physicist George Gabriel Stokes, and even more commonly, its sub-unit, the centiStokes (cSt).
ν = μ / ρ.Re = (vL) / ν, where 'v' is the fluid velocity, 'L' is a characteristic length, and 'ν' is the kinematic viscosity. A low Reynolds number indicates smooth, laminar flow, while a high Reynolds number indicates chaotic, turbulent flow.Dynamic viscosity (or absolute viscosity) is the measure of a fluid's internal resistance to being sheared—its 'thickness'. Kinematic viscosity is the dynamic viscosity divided by the fluid's density. It describes how easily a fluid flows under gravity. For example, honey is much more dynamically viscous than oil, but if the honey were also much denser than the oil, they could potentially have a similar kinematic viscosity.
The Stokes (St) is the CGS unit of kinematic viscosity, equal to cm²/s. It is named after Sir George Stokes, an Irish physicist who made seminal contributions to fluid dynamics. The more common unit is the centiStokes (cSt), which is 1/100th of a Stokes.
The Reynolds number is a dimensionless quantity that helps predict whether fluid flow will be smooth (laminar) or chaotic (turbulent). Kinematic viscosity is a key parameter in its calculation because it represents the fluid's resistance to internal disturbances, which is what leads to turbulence.
It is often measured using a capillary viscometer. This device measures the time it takes for a fixed volume of fluid to flow under gravity through a thin capillary tube. This time can be directly related to the fluid's kinematic viscosity.
Consider water and mercury. Mercury is much 'thicker' (has a higher dynamic viscosity) than water. However, mercury is also extremely dense (about 13.6 times denser than water). Because kinematic viscosity is dynamic viscosity divided by density, mercury actually has a much *lower* kinematic viscosity than water and would flow more readily under gravity.