Laplace Number Formula |
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\( La \;=\; \dfrac{ \sigma \cdot \rho \cdot L }{ \eta^2 } \) (Laplace Number) \( \sigma \;=\; \dfrac{ La \cdot \eta^2 }{ \rho \cdot L }\) \( \rho \;=\; \dfrac{ La \cdot \eta^2 }{ \sigma \cdot L }\) \( L \;=\; \dfrac{ La \cdot \eta^2 }{ \sigma \cdot \rho }\) \( \eta \;=\; \sqrt{ \dfrac{ \sigma \cdot \rho \cdot L }{ La } } \) |
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| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( La \) = Laplace Number | \(dimensionless\) | \(dimensionless\) |
| \( \sigma \) (Greek symbol sigma) = Surface Tension | \(lbf\;/\;ft\) | \(N\;/\;m\) |
| \( \rho \) (Greek symbol rho) = Density | \(lbm\;/\;ft^3\) | \(kg\;/\;m^3\) |
| \( L \) = Length | \(ft\) | \(m\) |
| \( \eta \) (Greek symbol eta) = Fluid Viscosity | \(lbf-sec\;/\;ft^2\) | \(Pa-s\) |
Laplace number, abbreviated as \(La\), a dimensionless numbers, is used in fluid dynamics to describe the relative importance of surface tension forces to viscous forces in a fluid flow. The Laplace number is used to determine whether surface tension effects are significant in a particular fluid flow situation. The value of the Laplace number can provide insights into the shape and behavior of liquid drops, bubbles, or menisci (curved liquid surfaces) in various systems.
The Laplace number is particularly important in understanding phenomena involving capillary action, droplet formation, and bubble dynamics. It helps engineers and scientists predict how surface tension influences the behavior of fluids in different contexts and can guide the design and analysis of systems where surface tension effects are significant.
