Question:

Prandtl number is minimum for

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Liquid metals such as mercury have very low Prandtl number because their thermal diffusivity is very high.
  • Water
  • Air
  • Mercury
  • Transformer oil
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Prandtl number is: \[ Pr=\frac{\nu}{\alpha} \] It is the ratio of momentum diffusivity to thermal diffusivity. Liquid metals have very high thermal diffusivity. This means heat spreads very fast in liquid metals compared with momentum. Because thermal diffusivity is large, the value of Prandtl number becomes very small. Mercury is a liquid metal. Hence mercury has a very low Prandtl number. Water and air have moderate Prandtl numbers. Transformer oil has a very high Prandtl number because oils have high viscosity and low thermal diffusivity. Therefore, Prandtl number is minimum for: \[ \text{Mercury} \]
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