What happens to the viscosity of fuel oil as temperature increases?

As temperature increases, the viscosity of fuel oil decreases. This relationship is important because viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. When heat is applied to fuel oil, the molecules gain energy, which allows them to move more freely. As a result, the oil flows more easily and its viscosity is reduced.

Understanding this property is crucial in various applications, such as in the design and operation of fuel systems, where lower viscosity fuels can be pumped more efficiently and atomized better for combustion. The decrease in viscosity with temperature can influence how fuel oil is transported and stored, making it vital for engineers to consider temperature changes when working with different types of fuel.