Stefan number
The Stefan number (St or Ste) is defined as the ratio of sensible heat to latent heat. It is given by the formula
![\mathrm{Ste} = \frac{c_p \Delta T}{L},](/Images/godic/202502/13/87ea471b9aa110767dcb8572dfb8413f4736.png")
where
It is a dimensionless parameter that is useful in analyzing a Stefan problem. The parameter was developed from Josef Stefan's calculations of the rate of phase change of water into ice on the polar ice caps.