How does an increase in temperature typically affect the viscosity of a fluid?

An increase in temperature typically causes the viscosity of a fluid to decrease. This phenomenon occurs because higher temperatures provide more energy to the molecules of the fluid, causing them to move more vigorously. As a result, the intermolecular forces that resist flow are less effective at higher temperatures, allowing the fluid to flow more easily.

In practical terms, this means that as a fluid heats up, it becomes thinner or less viscous, which is why hot oils, for example, flow more readily than cold oils. Understanding this relationship is critical in various mechanical applications, such as lubrication systems, where maintaining the appropriate flow characteristics of fluids at varying temperatures is essential for system efficiency and performance.