Shape factor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Shape factor (disambiguation).
Shape factor is a concept in particle physics denoting the ratio of a particle's major dimension to its minor dimension.
Shape factor's usefulness in certain engineering disciplines is demonstrated by the effect which shape can have on the bending and "fracture strength" of materials; tabulating these allows greater accuracy in gauging the usefulness of a material in a given situation. For example, a solid steel bar is very inefficient at resisting deflection and is very heavy for the strength it affords; in certain situations, replacing it with an I-beam will make for a more efficient design.
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