Liquid crystalline phases tend to be more viscous ...

Question

Liquid crystalline phases tend to be more viscous than the isotropic, or normal, liquid phase of the same substance.Why?

Jules Bruno · Accepted Answer

We are asked why liquid crystalline phases tend to be more viscous than the isotropic, or normal, liquid phase of the same substance.Take note that when most liquids freeze, they transition to an ordered crystalline solid (i.e. rigid with fixed shape and volume). Their respective phase diagrams have a defined liquid and solid phases (i.e. there are no regions between the liquid and solid phases). These liquids are said to be isotropic or are equally disordered in all directions.[readmore]In certain instances, however, there are substances in which there are no defined solid and liquid phases (i.e. there is an intermediate state between the liquid and solid-state). In such an intermediate state, the molecules have an ordered arrangement (i.e. behaving like a solid) and yet can still flow (i.e. behaving like a liquid). For this reason, these intermediate phases are referred to as liquid crystals. Meanwhile, liquid crystals are said to be anisotropic which means their properties depend on the direction in which they are viewed. The anisotropic nature of liquid crystals makes it less disordered as a liquid because the molecules have some degree of alignment or order and would, therefore, be more viscous than isotropic or normal liquids.

Problem: Liquid crystalline phases tend to be more viscous than the isotropic, or normal, liquid phase of the same substance.Why?

FREE Expert Solution

Problem Details

Problem: Liquid crystalline phases tend to be more viscous than the isotropic, or normal, liquid phase of the same substance.Why?

FREE Expert Solution

Problem Details

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