Heat transfer — For free convection over a vertical flat plate, the Nusselt number Nu is related to Grashof number Gr. The dependence in turbulent and laminar flow, respectively, is:

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Gr^0.33, Gr^0.25

Explanation:


Introduction:
In natural (free) convection, buoyancy drives flow, and the Nusselt number correlates heat-transfer coefficient to fluid properties and geometry via dimensionless groups. For a vertical plate, different exponents apply in laminar and turbulent regimes, reflecting changes in boundary-layer behavior.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Vertical flat plate, uniform surface temperature.
  • Property variations are modest; Prandtl number Pr is accounted for but here the focus is on Gr exponents.
  • Correlation form Nu ∝ (Gr * Pr)^n with n depending on regime.


Concept / Approach:

Classical correlations give Nu_L ≈ C * (Gr_L * Pr)^1/4 for laminar and Nu_L ≈ C * (Gr_L * Pr)^1/3 for turbulent flow over a vertical surface. When emphasizing Gr only, the exponents are 0.25 (laminar) and 0.33 (turbulent). The question asks for 'turbulent & laminar flow respectively', hence the ordered pair is Gr^0.33 for turbulent and Gr^0.25 for laminar.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Recall laminar natural convection: Nu ∝ (Gr * Pr)^0.25.Recall turbulent natural convection: Nu ∝ (Gr * Pr)^0.33.Match order 'turbulent, then laminar': (0.33, 0.25).Select option with Gr^0.33, Gr^0.25.


Verification / Alternative check:

Heat-transfer handbooks list Churchill–Chu or similar correlations that reduce to these exponents in limiting regimes, supporting the stated powers.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A–C/E present incorrect order or exponents that do not match standard natural convection theory for vertical plates.


Common Pitfalls:

Mixing forced convection (Nu ∝ Re^m Pr^n) with natural convection correlations or confusing the order in which regimes are listed.


Final Answer:

Gr^0.33, Gr^0.25

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