Viscosity is the resistance of a liquid to flow. So the better the substance flows the lower its viscosity is, water has the lowest viscosity of your group.
Silica content increases viscosity. So if the magma is silica poor the magma will have a low viscosity meaning it will flow easily. A magma that flows easily will result in a milder volcanic eruption. One where the magma gently runs down the hill side instead of a violent eruption resulting in huge amounts of thick magma quickly erupting out. Does that help?
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1. Arrange corn syrup, water, and vegetable oil in order of low to high visocisity.
2. Why do silica-poor magmas produce broad volcanoes with gentle slopes?
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