How do particles act in a liquid?

Answer 1

Depends on lots of factors:

Density of the fluid and particles

Viscosity (how 'thick' the fluid is)

Concentration of particles - the situation is very different between say, through porous rocks and hose pipes.

Velocity of the fluid

Temperatures

Ph levels (acidity/alkalinity)

Size of particles

Roughness of particles

The list is almost endless.

As this question is posed in the motoring section I'm guessing you mean particular matter in a cooling system - something like soil possibly?

In this situation the particles will follow two different paths dependent on the aforementiond variables:

1. Slow fluid flow/low density fluid/slow fluid velocity: they will collect like sediment in the lower mostpoint of the system

2. High fluid velocity/ high viscosity/high fluid density: particles travel with the fluid flow - they tend to 'bunch' as they ride in the lower pressure areas behind each other, like a drafting drag car, impacts between particles are frequent, along with impacts with the containing surface (the pipes of a cooling system for instance). They have an abrasive action, which can cause damage, or help to keep the internal surfaces clean, depends on hardness of elements, velocities etc.

Would be usefull to know more about the particles and fluid you're interested in, by I hope I've provided some usefull information