Elsasser number

The Elsasser number, Λ, is a dimensionless number in magnetohydrodynamics that represents the ratio of magnetic forces to the Coriolis force.[1]

${\displaystyle \Lambda ={\frac {\sigma B^{2}}{\rho \Omega }}}$

where σ is the conductivity of the fluid, B is the magnetic field, ρ is the density of the fluid, and Ω is the rate of rotation of the body.

Notes

1. Encyclopedia of geomagnetism and paleomagnetism, p. 299

References

• Gubbins, David, and Emilio Herrero-Bervera, eds. Encyclopedia of geomagnetism and paleomagnetism. Springer Science & Business Media, 2007.