What measurement unit is typically used for viscosity?

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. The most commonly used unit for measuring viscosity in the metric system is the centipoise (cP), which is equal to one-hundredth of a poise. This unit provides a straightforward way to express the viscosity of different fluids, making it essential for applications in fields like engineering, food processing, and chemical manufacturing.

Using the centipoise allows for a practical representation of how a liquid behaves under various conditions, influencing how it can be handled and processed. For instance, motor oils have specific viscosity ratings in centipoise, indicating how they will perform under different temperatures and mechanical conditions.

While other units like Pascal are related to pressure measurements, Newton pertains to force, and Hertz relates to frequency, none of these are suitable for quantifying viscosity. Therefore, centipoise is the appropriate choice for measuring viscosity due to its specificity to fluid dynamics.