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Froude Number Formula:
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The Froude Number is a dimensionless number defined as the ratio of inertia force to gravity force. It is used to characterize flow conditions in fluid dynamics, particularly in open channel flow, wave dynamics, and sediment transport.
The calculator uses the Froude Number formula:
Where:
Explanation: The Froude Number quantifies the relative importance of inertial forces compared to gravitational forces in a fluid flow system.
Details: The Froude Number is crucial for analyzing flow regimes in hydraulic engineering, determining whether flow is subcritical (Fr < 1), critical (Fr = 1), or supercritical (Fr > 1). It helps in designing channels, spillways, and understanding wave behavior.
Tips: Enter both inertia force and gravity force in Newtons. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What does a Froude Number less than 1 indicate?
A: A Froude Number less than 1 indicates subcritical flow, where gravitational forces dominate and waves can travel upstream.
Q2: What does a Froude Number greater than 1 indicate?
A: A Froude Number greater than 1 indicates supercritical flow, where inertial forces dominate and waves cannot travel upstream.
Q3: In which engineering applications is Froude Number most important?
A: Froude Number is critical in hydraulic engineering, ship hull design, open channel flow analysis, and sediment transport studies.
Q4: How is Froude Number related to Reynolds Number?
A: While Reynolds Number relates inertial to viscous forces, Froude Number relates inertial to gravitational forces. Both are important dimensionless numbers in fluid mechanics.
Q5: Can Froude Number be applied to compressible flows?
A: The standard Froude Number is primarily used for incompressible flows. For compressible flows, other dimensionless numbers like Mach Number are more appropriate.