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        thermal diffusivity

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        thermal diffusivity#

        $$\alpha \sim \text L^{2}\,\text T^{-1}$$

        Ratio of thermal conductivity to volumetric heat capacity; governs the rate at which temperature disturbances propagate through a material. A high value indicates rapid thermal equilibration relative to heat storage.

        Used in#

        • Bejan number
        • Fourier number
        • Lewis number
        • Prandtl number
        • Péclet number
        • Rayleigh number

           

        Encyclopedia of dimensionless numbers - © 2026 Michal Habera and Andreas Zilian.
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