Table 1: Dimensionless numbers, similar to Incropera, 2nd ed., Table 6.2.

Thermal diusivity, = k/( cp ), Volumetric thermal expansion coecient, [1/K]. Name Biot Eckman Friction Coecient Fourier Friction factor Froude Grashof Mach Nusselt Prandtl Rayleigh Reynolds Rossby Weber Denition Bi hL ks Ek = L 2 s Cf V2 /2 t F o L2
p f (L/D)( u2 m /2) u Fr

GrL M = u/c N uL hL kf c Pr p k = 3 TC )d Rad g (TH V L ReL = VL u Ro = L 2 W e V L

gh g (Ts T )L3 2

Interpretation Ratio of internal resistance of a solid to the boundary layer thermal resistance. Ratio of viscous and coriolis forces. Dimensionless surface shear stress. Ratio of the heat conduction rate to the rate of thermal energy storage in a solid. Dimensionless time. Dimensionless pressure drop for internal ow. Ratio of inertial to gravitational forces. Free surface ows. Ratio of buoyancy to viscous forces in the velocity boundary layer. Ratio of ow velocity to sound speed. Dimensionless temperature gradient at the surface. Ratio of momentum and thermal diusivities. Equivalent to the product of Gr and P r. Ratio of inertial to viscous forces. Ratio of inertial and coriolis forces. Ratio of intertial to surface tension forces.

Universal Gas Constant Gravity Proportionality Avogadros Number Plancks Constant Boltzmanns Constant Stefan-Boltzman Constant Vacuum speed of light gravity Sea level pressure

R gc N h k co g p

8,314 J/(kg mol K) = 1.987 Btu/(lb mol R) 32.174 (lbm /lbf )(ft/s2 ) 6.0241023 molecules/mol 6.6251034 Js 1.3801023 J/(Kmolecule) 5.67108 W/(m2 K4 ) 2.998108 m/s 9.807 m/s2 101,325 Pa

1 1 1 1 1

kg = 2.2046 lbm mi = 1.6093 km, 2.54 cm = 1 in Nt = 0.2248 lbf J = 0.73756 ft-lbf = 6.2415 MeV hp = 550 ft-lbf/s = 745.7 W