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:[1]

where:

Laplace number is related to Reynolds number (Re) and Weber number (We) in the following way:[1]

See also

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  • Ohnesorge number - There is an inverse relationship,  , between the Laplace number and the Ohnesorge number.

References

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  1. ^ a b Balakotaiah, V.; Jayawardena, S. S.; Nguyen, L. T. (1999). "Studies on Normal and Microgravity Annular Two Phase Flows" (PDF). Proceedings of the Fourth Microgravity Fluid Physics and Transport Phenomena Conference. Retrieved 27 May 2024.