Archimedes number

noun

A dimensionless number used to determine the motion of fluids due to density differences, defined as the ratio of gravitational forces to viscous forces: Ar=(gL³(ρ-ρ_ℓ)/(ρ_ℓ))/(ν²)=(gL³ρ_ℓ(ρ-ρ_ℓ))/(μ²)\, where g is the local external field, L is the characteristic length of body, (ρ-ρ_ℓ)/(ρ_ℓ) is the submerged specific gravity, ρ_ℓ is the density of the fluid, ρ is the density of the body, ν=μ/(ρ_ℓ) is the kinematic viscosity, and μ is the dynamic viscosity.

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Meanings

nounArchimedes number (plural Archimedes numbers)

plural Archimedes numbers

  1. fluid dynamicsA dimensionless number used to determine the motion of fluids due to density differences, defined as the ratio of gravitational forces to viscous forces: Ar=(gL³(ρ-ρ_ℓ)/(ρ_ℓ))/(ν²)=(gL³ρ_ℓ(ρ-ρ_ℓ))/(μ²)\, where g is the local external field, L is the characteristic length of body, (ρ-ρ_ℓ)/(ρ_ℓ) is the submerged specific gravity, ρ_ℓ is the density of the fluid, ρ is the density of the body, ν=μ/(ρ_ℓ) is the kinematic viscosity, and μ is the dynamic viscosity.

Origin

Named after Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287 – c. 212 BC), a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer.

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Cite this entry
APA

Archimedes number. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Archimedes%20number

MLA

“Archimedes number.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Archimedes%20number. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Archimedes number,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Archimedes%20number.

Source: Archimedes number on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.