The Biot number is a dimensionless parameter in the field of heat transfer. It is used to compare the rate of heat conduction within an object to the rate of heat transfer across the object's boundary to its surroundings. The Biot number is significant because it helps determine whether the temperature distribution within an object can be assumed uniform, which simplifies analysis substantially.
The Biot number (\( Bi \)) is formulated as:
\( Bi = \frac{hL_c}{k} \)
where:
A Biot number much less than 1 indicates that the object is thermally thin relative to the resistance to heat flow in the surrounding fluid, and its temperature can be considered uniform. Conversely, a Biot number much greater than 1 indicates non-uniform temperature distribution, requiring detailed temperature analysis within the object.
Therefore, the Biot number is primarily associated with Heat Transfer.