Cgssystemof Units Converter
Convert cgssystemof units between units instantly. Includes conversion tables, common equivalents, and calculation formulas.
Formula
Converted = Value x (From Factor in CGS base) / (To Factor in CGS base)
Each unit is expressed as a factor relative to the CGS base unit for its quantity type. For force, the base is the dyne (1 N = 100,000 dyn). For energy, the base is the erg (1 J = 10^7 ergs). For pressure, the base is the barye (1 Pa = 10 Ba). Convert by multiplying input by its CGS factor, then dividing by the target factor.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Converting Newtons to Dynes
Problem: A force of 5 Newtons. How many dynes is that?
Solution: 1 Newton = 100,000 dynes\nDynes = 5 x 100,000 = 500,000 dynes\n= 5 x 10^5 dyn
Result: 5 Newtons = 500,000 dynes
Example 2: Converting Joules to Ergs
Problem: An energy of 2.5 Joules expressed in ergs.
Solution: 1 Joule = 10,000,000 ergs = 10^7 ergs\nErgs = 2.5 x 10^7 = 25,000,000 ergs\n= 2.5 x 10^7 ergs
Result: 2.5 Joules = 25,000,000 ergs (2.5e7 ergs)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CGS system of units?
The CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system is a metric system of units based on three fundamental quantities: the centimeter for length, the gram for mass, and the second for time. Developed in the 19th century by Carl Friedrich Gauss and later formalized by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, it was the dominant scientific unit system before the SI (MKS) system was adopted in 1960. CGS units remain common in certain fields of physics, particularly astrophysics, electrodynamics, and some areas of condensed matter physics.
What is the difference between CGS and SI units?
The SI system uses meters, kilograms, and seconds as base units, while CGS uses centimeters, grams, and seconds. This leads to different derived units: force is measured in Newtons (SI) versus dynes (CGS), energy in Joules versus ergs, and pressure in Pascals versus baryes. The conversion factors follow from the base unit relationships: 1 Newton = 100,000 dynes, 1 Joule = 10,000,000 ergs, and 1 Pascal = 10 baryes. The SI system is now the international standard for commerce and most sciences.
Why do some scientists still use CGS units?
Several scientific fields continue using CGS units because key equations and constants take simpler forms in that system. In Gaussian CGS electrodynamics, the Coulomb constant equals 1 (dimensionless), eliminating the permittivity of free space from equations. Astrophysics uses CGS extensively because many fundamental relationships were first derived and tabulated in those units. Magnetic field measurements in Gauss (CGS) remain common alongside Tesla (SI). The inertia of published literature and familiar reference values also sustains CGS usage.
How do I convert between CGS and SI force units?
The CGS unit of force is the dyne, defined as the force needed to accelerate 1 gram by 1 cm/s2. The SI unit is the Newton, accelerating 1 kg by 1 m/s2. Since 1 kg = 1000 g and 1 m = 100 cm, one Newton equals 1000 x 100 = 100,000 dynes. For energy, 1 Joule = 1 Newton-meter = 100,000 dynes x 100 cm = 10,000,000 ergs. For pressure, 1 Pascal = 1 N/m2 = 100,000 dyn / 10,000 cm2 = 10 baryes.
When should I use metric vs imperial units?
Use metric for science, medicine, international communication, and precision work. Use imperial when required by local convention (US construction, cooking, road signs). Engineering increasingly uses metric. Always match the unit system expected by your audience or industry.
What is the origin of common measurement units?
A foot was originally based on the length of a human foot. A yard was the distance from nose to outstretched fingertip. A mile comes from the Roman mille passus (1,000 paces). The meter was defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from equator to pole.