The Stefan number[1] (St or Ste) is defined as the ratio of sensible heat to latent heat.
{\displaystyle \mathrm {Ste} ={\frac {c_{p}\Delta T}{L}},}
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 and coined by G.S.H.
[2] The problems origination is fully described by Vuik[3] and further commentary on its place in Josef Stefan's larger career can be found in [4] Same number exist for vapor to liquid phase change, Nombre de Jakob.