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GATE 2026 CH – Question 14

Heat Transfer · Convection, boundary layers and heat transfer coefficients · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Which one of the following ratios does Grashof number represent?

  1. buoyancy force to inertia force
  2. buoyancy force to viscous force
  3. viscous force to capillary force
  4. viscous force to inertia force

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Correct answer: (B) buoyancy force to viscous force

Explanation

The Grashof number is $Gr = \frac{g\beta\Delta T L^3}{\nu^2}$. It compares the buoyancy force with the viscous force, and in natural convection it plays the part that the Reynolds number plays in forced convection.