Physics:Eckert number

The Eckert number (Ec) is a dimensionless number used in continuum mechanics. It expresses the relationship between a flow's kinetic energy and the boundary layer enthalpy difference, and is used to characterize heat transfer dissipation. It is named after Ernst R. G. Eckert.

It is defined as

$\mathrm{E}\mathrm{c}=\frac{u^2}{c_p\mathrm{\Delta }T}=\frac{\text{Advective Transport}}{\text{Heat Dissipation Potential}}$

where

• u is the local flow velocity of the continuum,
• c_p is the constant-pressure local specific heat of the continuum,
• $\mathrm{\Delta }T$ is the difference between wall temperature and local temperature.