2006-08-08 16:26:48 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Maybe I should expand my question. Why are some liquids, such as petroluem oil and vegetable oil, more slippery than other liquids?
2006-08-09 05:44:45 · update #1
Oil sticks to the surfaces of things (like your fingers), and because of this it rubs against itself instead of your fingers rubbing against eachother. It reduces the friction this way, and makes it feel 'slippery'.
2006-08-08 16:32:39 · answer #1 · answered by Loulabelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baby Jesus wanted it to be.
Seriously, though. The carbon in the crude oil is not anymore slippery than the tip of a pencil. It is the refining that gives the motor-oil properties. Carbon can be whatever you want sugar-t:ts.
2006-08-09 01:01:41 · answer #2 · answered by Baron Von Bliss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is wax afterall. are you curious why wax is slippery, now? under one earth atmosphere standard temperature and pressure? oil will not be slippery under a different set of normal planetary temperatures and pressures. nothing about oil is 'naturally slippery' except here on earth. and here on earth, something's gotta be slippery! might as well be oil.
2006-08-08 23:38:43 · answer #3 · answered by emptiedfull 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil is a lube, thats why they use it in engines where there are fast moving parts.
2006-08-08 23:31:19 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All viscous fluids are slippery
2006-08-08 23:30:33 · answer #5 · answered by money money 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
easier to wrestle in baby..
2006-08-08 23:31:54 · answer #6 · answered by rcsanandreas 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋