Fluidity

[Fr. fluid ité; Lat. fluid it as.] That state of a substance in which its constituent particles are so slightly cohesive that they yield to the smallest impre ions. The term is usually confined to expre the condition of the so-called non-elastic fluids; and hence it denotes one of the three states in which matter exists: namely, the solid, the fluid or liquid, and the gaseous. The state of fluidity is best defined as that in which bodies tend to form drops, as this disposition does not belong either to bodies in a gaseous form, or to solid bodies reduced to fine powder. The formation of drops arises from this - that the molecules of fluid bodies adhere to each other with a certain force, while at the same time they glide over one another without any sensible resistance. It is incorrect to say that the molecules of bodies in a state of fluidity offer no resistance to separation; for, on bringing a flat disc of gla or metal into contact with the surface of a liquid, a very sensible degree of force is required to separate them. That adhesion exists among the molecules of fluid bodies is also proved by various other phenomena. Water or mercury on a flat plate of metal collects in globules, and when slowly poured into a winegla will remain heaped up as it were above the level of the edge. Fluidize, v . a. To render fluid. Flu'idne , n. Fluidity. Flukan, n. ( Mining .) The softest rock in metallic veins.