The gauss, abbreviated as G, is the cgs unit of measurement of a magnetic field B (which is also known as the "magnetic flux density", or the "magnetic induction"), named after the German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss. One gauss is defined as one maxwell per square centimeter.
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Unit name and convention
This unit is named after Carl Friedrich Gauss. As with all units whose names are derived from the proper name of a person, the first letter of its symbol is uppercase ("G"), but when the unit is spelled out, it should always be written in lowercase ("gauss"), unless it begins a sentence.[1]
Units conversions
According to the alternative centimetre gram second system of units (cgs), the gauss is the unit of magnetic field B, while the oersted is the unit of magnetizing field H. One tesla is equal to 104 gauss, and one ampere per meter is equal to 4π × 10−3 oersted [2].
The units for magnetic flux Φ, which is the integral of magnetic field over an area, are the weber (Wb) in the SI and the Maxwell (Mx) in the cgs system. The conversion factor is 108, since flux is the integral of field over an area, area having the units of the square of distance, thus 104 (magnetic field conversion factor) times the square of 102 (linear distance conversion factor, i.e., centimeters per meter).
Another unit conversion that may be useful is: 1 Gauss = 10−4 kg C−1 s−1 .
Typical values
The Earth's magnetic field measures about 0.5 gauss, a small iron magnet has a field of about 100 gauss, a small neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) magnet has a field of about 2,000 gauss, a big electromagnet has a field of about 15,000 gauss, and the surface of a neutron star has a field of about 1012 gauss[3].
See also
References
- ^ Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (2006). The International System of Units (SI). 8th ed.. http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ Hayt, Jr., William H. (1974). Engineering Electromagnetics, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-027390-1
- ^ "How strong are magnets?". Experiments with magnets and our surroundings. Magcraft. http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magflux.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
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