Grashof Number and Rayleigh Number

Define Grashof number, Gr, as the ratio between the buoyancy force and the viscous force:

• Grashof number replaces the Reynolds number in the convection correlation equation. In free convection, buoyancy driven flow sometimes dominates the flow inertia, therefore, the Nusselt number is a function of the Grashof number and the Prandtle number alone. Nu=f(Gr, Pr). Reynolds number will be important if there is an external flow. (see chapter 11.5, combined forced and free convection.

• In many instances, it is better to combine the Grashof number and the Prandtle number to define a new parameter, the Rayleigh number, Ra=GrPr. The most important use of the Rayleigh number is to characterize the laminar to turbulence transition of a free convection boundary layer flow. For example, when Ra, the vertical free convection boundary layer flow over a flat plate becomes turbulent.

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