A measure of the continuum assumption of fluids; that fluids behave as a continuous medium, or continuum: $ Kn=\frac{\lambda}{L}=\frac{\text{Molecular meen free path}}{\text{Characteristic length}} $ $ \begin{align} Kn&\ll1\quad\text{Continuum assumption closely obyed} \\ Kn&\gg1\quad\text{Free molecule flow (rarefied gas flow)} \end{align} $