The Stefan number (St or Ste) is defined as the ratio of
sensible heat to
latent heat. It is given by the formula
where
* ''c
p'' is the
specific heat,
** c
p is the
specific heat of solid phase in the
freezing process while c
p is the
specific heat of liquid phase in the
melting
Melting, or fusion, is a physical process that results in the phase transition of a substance from a solid to a liquid. This occurs when the internal energy of the solid increases, typically by the application of heat or pressure, which inc ...
process.
* ∆''T'' is the
temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer.
Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied on ...
difference between phases,
* ''L'' is the latent heat of melting.
It is a
dimensionless parameter that is useful in analyzing a
Stefan problem. The parameter was developed from
Josef Stefan's calculations of the rate of
phase change of
water
Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as ...
into
ice on the
polar ice caps and coined by G.S.H. Lock in 1969. The problems origination is fully described by Vuik and further commentary on its place in
Josef Stefan's larger career can be found in
[Crepeau, J. (2007). Josef stefan: His life and legacy in the thermal sciences. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 31(7), 795-803. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2006.08.005]
Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stefan Number
Dimensionless numbers of thermodynamics