What is a common characteristic of fluids when subjected to shear stress?

Fluids commonly exhibit a characteristic of continuous flow and deformation when subjected to shear stress. This behavior is essential in understanding how fluids respond under various forces. When shear stress is applied, the layers of fluid slide past one another, which leads to a change in shape without a significant change in volume. This property allows fluids to flow easily, which is crucial in many applications such as lubrication, mixing, and fluid transportation systems.

While some fluids may change their viscosity under shear stress, the fundamental behavior is that they continue to flow and deform. This specific characteristic is what distinguishes fluids from solids, which do not flow and retain a fixed shape under stress.