Relation Between Gauss and Tesla
In the CGS system or the centimeter gram second system of various physical units, gauss is the unit of magnetic induction. Generally, an electromotive force will be induced by the application of magnetic flux density. One gauss is equivalent when due to magnetic flux density, one abvolt or 10-8 volts of electromotive force is induced in a wire’s every linear portion or centimeter. Assume that the wire is moving at a speed of one centimeter per second laterally at ninety degrees to the magnetic flux. All the magnets are usually rated in terms of gauss. The symbol G is used to indicate this unit of measurement which measures magnetic flux density or magnetic induction.
Terminology of Gauss
As we already know gauss is the unit of magnetic induction. The unit was named after a German scientist by the name of Carl Friedrich Gauss. Previously this particular term was applied for magnetic field strength which was before the year 1932. Now the unit for magnetic field strength is oersted in the centimeter gram second system. But even now some people say that the magnetic field strength of the Earth is about one gauss. Carl Friedrich Gauss was a well-known nineteenth-century mathematician. The research and development of a magnetometer were highly contributed by him.
Gauss and Tesla
It’s very important for anyone studying physics to know the interconversion from gauss to tesla and vice versa. But before that, it is important to understand these two terms. Gauss is derived from the Gaussian system of units which was inherited from the centimeter gram second system. The CGS system was furthermore succeeded multiple times to finally superseded by the International System of Units or the SI system. Hence, all the standard bodies deprecated the use of gauss as a unit. Although it is still used in various fields of science. Tesla is the SI unit of magnetic induction. The conversion from gauss to tesla is pretty simple. All you need to do is divide by 10000. One tesla is equivalent to 10000 gausses. It also states that 1 gauss is equal to 10-4 tesla.
Gauss and Magnetism
One maxwell per square centimeter is equivalent to one gauss. 1 gauss is equal to 10-4 Weber per meter square. The field strength of any magnetic material can be determined using the gauss gauge. The magnetic field strength is often measured using the tesla unit and not in the gauss unit. But this is not technically correct. It is because the definition of magnetic field strength and magnetic flux density is not the same. Although both are denoted by the same letter B. The units of magnetization of a ferromagnetic substance or remanence of any permanent magnet are also measured in terms of tesla and gauss. Remanence is also known as the strength of any magnet.
Gauss Unit Physical Principles
Along with Wilhelm Eduard Weber, one of the famous physicists, Gauss framed the centimeter gram second system or CGS system. It is very similar to the modern SI system and is known as a standard unit control. The basic units of the CGS system form the gauss unit of magnetic flux. For length, it uses the unit of a centimeter, for the time it uses a unit of second, and for mass, it uses a unit of grams. Back in Germany until 1970, gauss was not any legal unit or entity in metrology. However, gauss is highly used in astrophysics. The legal unit of magnetic flux density in the SI unit is tesla and the relation between gauss and tesla is also pretty simple and important. One Newton per meter ampere is also equivalent to one tesla.
Some Typical Values in Gauss
Let’s look at some of the typical values in the unit gauss.
The surface magnetic field of the Earth - 0.25 to 0.60G.
Core magnetic field of the Earth - 25G.
Strength of a NIB magnet- 10000 to 13000G.
Electrodynamic quantum threshold magnetic strength - 4×1013 G.
Newborn magnetars magnetic field - 1015G.
Magnet field strength inside an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging machine- 3000 to 70000G.
Magnetic field strength within a sunspot – 1500G.
Transformers require high permeability alloys of iron which has a saturation of about 16000 to 22000G.
Did You Know?
The magnetic field strength of a normal refrigerator magnet is around 50G.
Metric prefixes can be easily combined with the gauss such as milli gauss.
4π × 10-3 oersted is equivalent to one ampere per meter.
Magnetic flux density is the number of field lines passing through a particular closed surface area.
FAQs on Gauss - Unit of Measurement
1. What is gauss and what physical quantity does it measure?
Gauss (symbol: G) is the unit of measurement for magnetic flux density, also known as magnetic induction, within the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) system of units. It quantifies the strength of a magnetic field, specifically the number of magnetic field lines passing through a unit area. It is named after the German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss.
2. How do you convert between gauss and tesla?
The conversion between gauss (G) and tesla (T) is straightforward. Since tesla is the SI unit and gauss is the CGS unit for magnetic flux density, their relationship is based on a factor of 10,000.
- 1 tesla = 10,000 gauss
- 1 gauss = 10-4 tesla (or 0.0001 tesla)
Tesla is generally used for stronger magnetic fields, while gauss is often more convenient for weaker fields.
3. Why is tesla the standard SI unit for magnetic fields instead of gauss?
Tesla (T) is the standard unit because it belongs to the International System of Units (SI), which is the modern global standard for science and technology. The SI system, based on the meter-kilogram-second framework, ensures consistency and easier integration with other physical units (like newtons, amperes, etc.). The gauss belongs to the older CGS (centimetre-gram-second) system. While still used in some specific fields like astrophysics, the SI system and its units like tesla are preferred for their universal coherence and standardisation in formal scientific and engineering contexts.
4. How strong is a 1000 gauss magnet in practical terms?
A magnetic field of 1000 gauss (or 0.1 tesla) is quite strong compared to everyday experiences. To put it in perspective:
- A typical refrigerator magnet has a strength of about 50 G.
- The Earth's surface magnetic field is around 0.25 to 0.60 G.
- A 1000 G field is in the range of strong industrial bar magnets or small neodymium (rare-earth) magnets. It is also comparable to the magnetic field strength found within a sunspot, which is typically around 1500 G.
5. What is the difference between magnetic flux density (B) and magnetic field strength (H)?
While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, magnetic flux density (B) and magnetic field strength (H) are distinct physical quantities:
- Magnetic Flux Density (B) represents the total magnetic field within a material, including the response of the material itself. It is the measure of how densely packed the magnetic field lines are. Its units are tesla (SI) and gauss (CGS).
- Magnetic Field Strength (H) represents the external magnetic field being applied to a region or material. It is a measure of the magnetising force. Its SI unit is amperes per meter (A/m) and its CGS unit is the oersted.
In a vacuum, B and H are directly proportional, but in magnetic materials, their relationship depends on the material's magnetic permeability.
6. What is a Gauss meter and what is its primary function?
A Gauss meter, also known as a teslameter or magnetometer, is a scientific instrument designed to measure the strength and direction of a magnetic field. Its primary function is to quantify the magnetic flux density at a specific point. It typically uses a sensor, such as a Hall probe, which generates a voltage that is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field it is exposed to, allowing for a precise reading in units of gauss or tesla.
7. Is there a direct conversion between the unit gauss and units of length, like the meter?
No, there is no direct conversion between gauss and meters because they measure fundamentally different physical quantities. Gauss (G) is a unit of magnetic flux density, while the meter (m) is a unit of length. Attempting to convert one to the other is like trying to convert kilograms to seconds. While the definition of gauss involves area (e.g., 1 G = 1 Maxwell / cm²), which is derived from length, the unit itself is not a measure of length or distance.
