Gauss
Gauss is both a unit of magnetic flux density and a term associated with several fundamental mathematical concepts, named after Carl Friedrich Gauss, a German mathematician and physicist. In the CGS system, Gauss (G) quantifies magnetic flux density, while in mathematics and physics, the name is linked to important laws and methods.
Gauss as a Unit of Magnetic Flux Density
In the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) unit system, 1 Gauss is defined as one maxwell per square centimeter. It represents the magnetic flux density B, corresponding to:
1 G = 0.0001 T
(1 Tesla = 10,000 G)
Additional conversions:
1 G = 100 μT
0.5 T = 5,000 G
SI–CGS Conversion Table (Magnetic Quantities)
| Quantity | SI Unit | CGS Unit | Conversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic flux density (B) | Tesla (T) | Gauss (G) | 1 T = 10,000 G |
| Magnetic flux (Φ) | Weber (Wb) | Maxwell (Mx) | 1 Wb = 10⁸ Mx |
| Magnetic field strength (H) | A/m | Oersted (Oe) | 1 A/m ≈ 0.01257 Oe |
| Vacuum permeability (μ₀) | H/m | – (dimensionless) | Only defined in SI: 4π·10⁻⁷ H/m |
These conversions are important for comparing magnetic quantities between SI and CGS unit systems.
| Quantity | Details |
|---|---|
| SI-CGS Conversions | |
| Magnetic flux density (B) |
SI: Tesla (T) CGS: Gauss (G) Conversion: 1 T = 10,000 G |
| Magnetic flux (Φ) |
SI: Weber (Wb) CGS: Maxwell (Mx) Conversion: 1 Wb = 10⁸ Mx |
| Magnetic field strength (H) |
SI: A/m CGS: Oersted (Oe) Conversion: 1 A/m ≈ 0.01257 Oe |
| Vacuum permeability (μ₀) |
SI: H/m CGS: – (dimensionless) Conversion: Only defined in SI: 4π·10⁻⁷ H/m |
These conversions are important for comparing magnetic quantities between SI and CGS unit systems.
Magnetic Flux Density Calculation
Magnetic flux density B is calculated as:
B = Φ / A
where:
Φ: Magnetic flux (in webers)
A: Cross-sectional area (in m²)
This formula applies in both SI and CGS systems, with appropriate unit conversion.
Gauss in Mathematics and Physics
Beyond its use as a unit, Gauss is associated with key scientific concepts:
Gaussian Distribution: Bell curve used in statistics
Gauss's Law: A fundamental principle in electromagnetism
Gaussian Elimination: A method to solve linear equation systems
These concepts are used across engineering, physics, and data science.
Applications
Geophysics: Measuring Earth's magnetic field strength
Materials science: Characterizing ferromagnetic materials
Medical imaging: MRI systems use fields measured in Tesla and Gauss
Electronics: Magnetic field sensors and shielding design
Astronomy: Detecting magnetic properties of stars and planets