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:
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:
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