Physics:Laplace number
From HandWiki
The Laplace number (La), also known as the Suratman number (Su), is a dimensionless number used in the characterization of free surface fluid dynamics. It represents a ratio of surface tension to the momentum-transport (especially dissipation) inside a fluid.
It is defined as follows:
- [math]\displaystyle{ \mathrm{La} = \mathrm{Su} = \frac{\sigma \rho L}{\mu^2} }[/math]
where:
- σ = surface tension
- ρ = density
- L = length
- μ = liquid viscosity
Laplace number is related to Reynolds number (Re) and Weber number (We) in the following way:
- [math]\displaystyle{ \mathrm{La} = \frac{\mathrm{Re}^2}{\mathrm{We}} }[/math]
See also
- Ohnesorge number - There is an inverse relationship, [math]\displaystyle{ \mathrm{La} = \mathrm{Oh}^{-2} }[/math], between the Laplace number and the Ohnesorge number.
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