
What is a non-Newtonian fluid?
A non-Newtonian fluid is a liquid that does not follow Newton’s regular laws for fluids. It is kind of like a mix between a solid and a liquid. A way to test whether a type of matter is a non-Newtonian fluid is by seeing whether its viscosity, or thickness, changes when someone or something puts pressure on it by shaking or stirring it. An example of a non-Newtonian fluid is ketchup because it gets less thick when you shake it. What about peanut butter? It’s not quite a solid…not quite a liquid…when you stir it slowly, it stays thick, but when you whip it quickly it becomes more runny. These qualities mean that peanut butter is a non-Newtonian fluid! These common household foods and products are non-Newtonian fluids: Toothpaste, Whipping cream, Shampoo