UNIT-3

UNITS AND CONVERSION FACTORS

Table of Contents
Section
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0

6.0
7.0
.

Page

Decimal Multiples and Submultiples

Description of Units
(Mechanical, Electric, Magnetic)
Equivalent Units mksq System
Dimensions of esu and emu Electric and Magnetic Quantities
Dimensions and Units for Physical Quantities mksq System
A. Mechanical
B. Thermal
C. Electric and Magnetic
Conversion of mksq Units to Gaussian Units
Conversion Factors

3
3
4
4
5-6
5
6
6
6
7-22
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
10
10
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
16
17
18
18
19
19
19
20
20
20
21

A. Plane Angle
B. Solid Angle
C. Length
D. Area
E. Volume
F. Mass
G. Density
H. Time
I. Speed
J. Force
K. Pressure
L. Energy, Work, Heat
M. Specific Energy
N. Specific Energy Per Unit Temp.
O. Power
P. Heat Flux
Q. Heat Transfer Coefficient
R. Thermal Conductivity
S. Absolute Viscosity
T. Kinematic Viscosity
AA. Electric Charge
BB. Electric Current
CC. Electric Potential
DD. Electric Resistance
EE. Electric Resistivity
FF. Capacitance
GG. Inductance
1

1.0 DECIMAL MULTIPLES AND SUB-MULTIPLES

Name

Symbol

Equivalent

tera
giga
mega
kilo
hecto

T
G
M
k
h

10
9
10
6
10
3
10
2
10

deca

10

12

Name

Symbol

Equivalent

deci
centi
milli
micro
nano

d
c
m

10

10-2
10-3

pico

10-12

-1

10-6

10-9

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

MECHANICAL UNITS
Quantity

cgs

mks

Length
Mass
Time
Force
Work, Energy
Power
Dynamic Viscosity
Kinematic Viscosity

centimeter
gram
second
dyne
erg

poise
stoke

meter
kilogram
second
newton
joule
watt

ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC UNITS

The esu and emu unit systems are cgs systems.
esu denotes electrostatic unit, sometimes given prefix stat, e.g. statcoulomb
emu denotes electromagnetic unit, sometimes given prefix ab, e.g. abcoulomb
Some emu units have special names:
Quantity

emu

mksq

Magnetic Flux,
Magnetic Field Strength, B
Magnetomotive Force, F

line
maxwell
gauss
gilbert

weber
2
weber/m
amp-turn

Magnetic Vector, H

oersted

amp-turn/m.

3.0 EQUIVALENT UNITS MKS SYSTEM

1 newton
1 volt
1 amp
1 joule
1 weber
1 farad
1 henry
1 ohm
1 watt

1 kilogram-meter/(second)
1 newton-meter/coulomb
1 coulomb/second
1 newton-meter
1 volt-second
1 coulomb/volt
1 weber/amp
1 volt/amp
1 joule/sec

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

1 coulomb-volt

4.0 DIMENSIONS OF esu AND emu ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC

QUANTITIES
The fundamental dimensions in both systems are M, L, T. cgs units used.
esu
emu
x y z
x y z
Quantity
Symbol
MLT
MLT
x
y
z
x
y
z
Charge
Field Intensity
Elec. Displacement
Charge Density
Current Density
Elec. Potential
Total Current
Mag. Field Strength
Mag. Vector
Permittivity
Permeability
Conductivity
Capacitance
Inductance
Resistance

q
E
D

j
V
I
B
H

C
L
R

0
0
0
0
0
0

-1
-1
-1
-1
-2
-1
-2
0
-2
0
2
-1
0
2
1

3
2

-
-

32

32

0
-2
0
1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0
0

3
2

-
-
-2
0
-2
-1
1
1

emu

esu
c
1/c
cc
c
1/c
c
1/c
c
2
c

0
0
-2
0
-1
-2
-1
-1
-1
2
0
1
2
0
-1

1/c
2
c
2
c
2
1/c

1/c

10

*c = velocity of light (free space) in cm/sec 3 10

10
Thus: 1 emu of charge = 2.998 10 esu of charge
10
or 1 abcoulomb = 2.998 10 statcoulomb

5.0 DIMENSIONS AND UNITS FOR PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

mksq SYSTEM
A. MECHANICAL QUANTITIES
Quantity
Acceleration
Angle
Angular Accleration
Angular Momentum
Angular Velocity
Area
Energy
Force
Frequency
Gravitational Field Strength
Length
Mass
Mass Density
Momentum
Power
Pressure
Time
Torque
Velocity
Viscosity (Dynamic)
Viscosity (Kinematic)
Volume
Wave Length
Work

Dimensions
LT
0

-2

T2-2 -1

ML T
T-12

L
2 -2
ML T
-2
MLT
T-1

-2

LT
L
M

ML-3-1

MLT
2 -3
ML T
ML-1T-2
T
2 -2
ML T
-1
LT
ML-1T-1
L2T-1

L3
L
2 -2

ML T

Derived Units
2

meter/sec
radian
2
radian/sec
2
kgm-meter /sec
radian/sec
2
meter
joule
newton
cycle/sec
newton/kgm
meter
kilogram
2
kgm/meter
kgm-meter/sec
watt
2
newton/meter
second
newton/meter
meter/sec
kgm/meter-sec
2
meter /sec
3
meter
meter
joule

B. THERMAL QUANTITIES*
Quantity

Dimensions

Derived Units

2 -2

ML T

Enthalpy
Entropy
Gas Constant
Internal Energy
Specific Heat
Temperature
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Diffusivity

L2T-1

joule
joule/K
joule/kgm- K
joule
joule/kgm-K
K
watt/meter- K
2
meter /sec

MT-3-1

watt/meter - K

ML T
-1
L2T2-2-2
2

-2 -1

ML T

L2T-2-1

MLT-3-1

Heat Transfer Coefficient

*The dimension of temperature is ; the unit is K

C. ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC QUANTITIES
Quantity

Symbol

Dimensions

Derived Units

Charge
Field Intensity
Elec. Displacement
Charge Density
Current Density
Elec. Potential
Total Current
Mag. Field Strength
Mag. Vector
Permittivity
Permeability
Conductivity
Capacitance
Inductance

q
E
D

j
V
I
B
H

C
L

Q
-2 -1
MLT Q
-2
L Q
-3
L Q

coulomb
volt/meter
2
coulomb/meter
2
coulomb/meter
2
amp/meter
volt
coulomb/sec
2
weber/meter
amp(turn)/meter
farad/meter
henry/meter
1/ohm-meter
farad
henry

Resistance

L-2T-1Q
ML2T-2Q-1
T-1Q

MT-1Q-1
L-1T-1Q
2Q 2
M-1L-3T-2

MLQ

M-1L-3TQ2
M-1L-22 T2-2
Q2

ML Q

ML2T-1Q-2

ohm

6.0 CONVERSION OF mksq UNITS TO GAUSSIAN UNITS

Quantity mksq Unit
q
E
D

j
V
I
B
H

C
L
R

Conversion Factor Gaussian Unit*

coulomb
volt/meter
2
coulomb/meter
3
coulomb/meter
2
amp/meter
volt
coulomb/sec : = amp
2
weber/meter
amp-turn/meter
farad/meter
henry/meter
1/ohm-meter
farad
henry
ohm

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

-1

10 c
6
10 /c
-5
4 10 c
-7
10 c
-5
10
8
10 /c
10-1

statcoulomb
statvolt/cm
2
lines/cm
3
statcoulomb/cm
2
abamp/cm
statvolt
abamp
gauss
oersted

(esu)
(esu)
(esu)
(esu)
(emu)
(esu)
(emu)
(emu)
(emu)
(esu)
(emu)
(emu)
(esu)
(emu)
(emu)

10
-3
4 10
-11 2
4 10 c
7
10 /4
1/abohm-cm
10-11
statfarad
10-99c2
abhenry
10
9
10
abohm

*c = vel. of light (free space) in cm/sec 3 10

10

Use of table:
-1

10

1 coulomb = 10 (3 10 ) statcoulomb = 3 10 statcoulomb

7.0 CONVERSION FACTORS
NOTE: mksq UNITS ARE CAPITALIZED
USE OF TABLES: EXAMPLE
-3
1 degree = 2.778 10 revolutions
so,

-3

16.7 = 16.7 2.778 10 revolutions

A. PLANE ANGLE
o

RADIAN

3600
60
1
5
2.063 10

1.745 10
-4
2.909 10
-4
4.848 10
1

2.778 10
-5
4.630 10
-7
7.716 10
0.1592

6.283

1 degree
1 minute
1 second
1 RADIAN

=
=
=
=

1
-2
1.667 10
-4
2.778 10
57.30

60
1
-2
1.667 10
3438

1 revolution

360

2.16 10

1.296 10

-2

rev
-3

1 revolution = 2 RADIANS = 360 , 1 = 60 = 3600

B. SOLID ANGLE
1 sphere = 4 steradians = 12.57 steradians
7

C. LENGTH
cm
1 centimeter
1 METER
1 kilometer
1 inch
1 foot

=
=
=
=
=

1
100
5
10
2.540
30.48

1 statute mile

1.609 10

km

METER
-2

10

-5

in

ft
3.281 10
3.281
3281
-2
8.333 10
1

6.214 10
-4
6.214 10
0.6214
-5
1.578 10
-4
1.894 10

5280

10
1
1000
-2
2.540 10
0.3048

1
-3
2.540 10
-4
3.048 10

0.3937
39.37
-4
3.937 10
1
12

1609

1.609

6.336 10

10-3

mile
-2

-6

12

1 light-year = 9.460 10 km
1 foot = 1200/3937 meter
13
1 meter = 3937/1200 ft
1 par-sec = 3.084 10 km
-10
1 angstrom () = 10 meter
1 fathom = 6 ft
-13
1 yard = 3 ft
1 X-unit = 10 meter
-6
1 rod = 16.5 ft
1 micron = 10 meter
-9
-3
1 mil = 10 in
1 millimicron (mu) = 10 meter
1 nautical mile = 1852 meters = 1.1508 statute miles
1 nautical mile = 6076.10 ft
D. AREA
2

METER
1 SQUARE METER =
1 square cm
=
1 square foot
=
1 square inch
=
1 circular mil

cm

ft

1
10-4

-2

9.290 10
-4
6.452 10

-10

= 5.067 10

10
1
929.0
6.452
5.067 10

in

10.76
-3
1.076 10
1
-3
6.944 10
-6

5.454 10

-3

circ mil
9

1.974 10
5
1.974 10
8
1.833 10
6
1.273 10

1550
0.1550
144
1
7.854 10

-7

1 square mile = 27,878,400 ft = 640 acres

2
-28
2
1 acre = 43,560 ft
1 barn = 10 meter
1 hectare = 2.417 acres
E. VOLUME
3

METER

cm

10
1
1000
4
2.832 10

1 CUBIC METER
1 cubic cm
1 liter
1 cubic foot

=
=
=
=

1
-6
10
-3
1.000 10
-2
2.832 10

1 cubic inch

1.639 10

-5

16.39

ft

liter

in

3
4

6.102 10
1000
35.31
-3
-8
-2
1.000 10
3.531 10 6.102 10
-2
1
61.02
3.531 10
28.32
1
1728
1.639 10

-2

5.787 10

-4

1 U.S. fluid gallon

= 4 U.S. fluid quarts = 8 U.S. fluid pints

3
=128 U.S. fluid ounces = 231 in
3
o
1 British imperial gallon = 277.42 in (volume of 10 lb H2O at 62 F)
8

F. MASS
gm
1 gram

= 1

1 KILOGRAM

= 1000

KGM

slug

0.001

6.852

6.024

3.527

2.205

1.102

10

10

10

10

10

= 1.459
10

1 amu

-5

6.852
10

1 slug

amu

14.59

10-24

23

6.024

-2

10

10
1.660
-27
10

1.137
10-28

lb

-2

35.27

ton

-3

2.205

10
514.8

-6

1.102

26

8.789

-4

= 1.660

oz

32.17

-3

1.609

27

10

-2

5.855
-26
10

3.660
-27
10

1.829
-30
10

1 ounce (avoirdupois) =

28.35

2.835
-2
10

1.943
-3
10

1.708
25
10

6.250
-2
10

3.125
-5
10

1 pound (avoirdupois)=

453.6

0.4536

3.108
-2
10

2.732
26
10

16

0.0005

907.2

62.16

5.465

3.200

2000

1 ton

= 9.072
10

-5

10

29

10

NOTE FOR TABLE F: Portion of table enclosed in heavy lines must be used with caution
because those units are not properly mass units but weight equivalents which depend on standard
terrestrial acceleration due to gravity, i.e. g.
G. DENSITY
slug/ft
3

1 slug per ft
1 KILOGRAM per
3
METER
1 gm per cm

515.4
1

0.5154
0.001

32.17
6.243
-2
10

1.862 10
3.613
-5
10

1.940

1000

62.43

3.613 10

5.787 10

3.108 10
=

53.71

-2

1.602 10

16.02
2.768 10

27.68

-2

1728

lb/in

1
1.940
-3
10

lb/ft

gm/cm

KGM/M

1 pound per ft =
1 pound per in

-2

-2

-4

NOTE FOR TABLE G: Portion of table enclosed in heavy lines must be used with caution
because those units are not mass-density units but weight-density units which depend on g.
9

H. TIME
yr

day

hr

365.2

8.766 10

24

1440

8.640 10

60

3600

60

1 year

1 day

2.738 10

1 hour

1.141 10

1 minute

1.901 10

1 SECOND

3.169 10

-3
-4

4.167 10

-6

6.944 10

-8

1.157 10

-2
-4
-5

min

1.667 10
2.778 10

SECOND

5.259 10

-2
-4

1.667 10

3.156 10

-2

7
4

1 year = 365.24219879 days

I.

SPEED

ft/sec

km/hr

METER/SEC

miles/hr

cm/sec

knot

1.097

0.3408

0.6818

30.48

0.5925

0.2778

0.6214

27.78

0.5400

2.237

100

1.944

0.4770

44.70

0.8689

0.0100
0.5144

2.237 10

1 foot per second

1 kilometer per hour

0.9113

1 METER per SECOND

3.281

3.600

1 mile per hour

1.467

1.609

1 centimeter per sec

1 knot

= 3.281 10
=
1.688

-2

3.600 10

1 mile/min
J.
dyne

-2

1.852

1 knot = 1 nautical mile/hr

1 dyne

NT
10

1
5

1 NEWTON

10
4.480

1 pound

10
1.383

1 poundal

10

1 gram-force

1 kilogram-force

980.7
9.807
10

-5

1
4.448

-2

1.151

1.944 10
1
51.44
1

-2

= 88 ft/sec
= 60 miles/hr

FORCE
lb
2.248
-6

pdl

gf

kgf

10

10

7.233
-5

1.020
-3

1.020
-6

0.2248

7.233

102.0

0.1020

32.17

453.6

0.4536

1
3.108
-2

0.1383
9.807
-3
10

10
2.205
-3
10

9.807

2.205

10

10

1.410
-2

14.10

10

7.093
-2
10

0.001

70.93

1000

1
10

NOTE FOR TABLE J: Portion of table enclosed in heavy lines must be

used with caution because those units are not force units but weight
equivalents of mass which depend on g.
1 kgf = 9.80665 newton

1 lb = 32.17398 poundal

K. PRESSURE
2

1.013
6
10

406.8

76

1.013
5
10

14.70

2116

9.869
-7
10

4.015
-4
10

7.501
-5
10

0.100

1.450
-5
10

2.089
-3
10

2.491

0.1868

249.1

3.613
-2
10

5.202

2.458
-3
10

1.333
4
10

5.353

1333

0.1934 27.85

1.316
-2
10

1 NEWTON per
2
METER

10

4.015
-3
10

7.501
-4
10

9.869
-6
10

1.450
-4
10

2.089
-2
10

1 pound per in

6.805
-2
10

6.895
4
10

27.68

5.171

6.895
3
10

144

4.725
-4
10

478.8

0.1922

3.591
-2
10

47.88

6.944
-3
10

1 atmosphere
1 dyne per cm

1 inch of water
o a
at 4 C
1 centimeter of
o a
mercury at 0 C

1 pound per ft
a

cm Hg NT/METER

lb/ft

dyne/cm

inch of
water

lb/in

atm

Where the acceleration of gravity has the standard value 9.80665

2
6
2
3
2
meter/sec 1 bar = 10 dyne/cm 1 millibar = 10 dyne/cm
-2
2
1 torr (mm Hg at 0C) = 1.93367 10 lb/ft

11

1 British thermal
unit
1 erg
1 foot-pound

=
=
=

erg

ft-lb

hp-hr JOULES

1.055

777.9

3.929

9.481

10-11

=
=

10
1

10

1.356

-3

9.481

10
1

-8

1.980

-13

10
0.7376

-4

1 calorie
1 kilowatt-hour
1 electron volt

=
=
=

1 million electron
volts
1 kilogram

=
=

4.186

-3

ev

Mev

kgm

252.0

2.930

6.585

6.585

1.174

-4

21

15

10-14
10
1

10

-7

2.389
-8

1.356

10
0.3239

-7

2.685
6

3.725

10
1

10
3.6
13
10

3.087

10
1.559

2.655
6
10

3.6
6
10

10
6.242

11

10-14
3.766

10
8.464

10
8.464

-7

18

12

10
1.676

10
0.2389

2.778

10
6.242

10
1.163

6.414
5

25

-7

4.186

10
6.242

10
0.7457

-6

10
1.341

10
2.778

8.601
5
10

10
1

-6

18

10
2.613

19

10
2.247
25
10

1.519
-22
10

1.602
-12
10

1.182
-19
10

5.967
-26
10

1.602
-19
10

3.827
-20
10

4.450
-26
10

1.519

1.602

1.182

5.967

1.602

3.827

4.450

10

10

-16

8.521
10

1 atomic mass unit

kw-hr

-7

10
3.968
10
3413

10
3.725
5.051

10
2.685
10
7
10

1055

cal

-4

7.376

1.285

10
2545

1 horsepowerhour
1 JOULE

Btu

-13

1.415
-13
10

10

-6

8.987
10

23

1.492
-3
10

10

-13

6.629
10

16

1.100

10-10

10

-20

3.348
10

10

5.558
-17
10

10

-13

8.987
10

16

1.492
-10
10

10

-14

2.147
10

16

3.564
-11
10

10
1.676

19

10
6.242

12

10
2.613

13

10
2.247
19
10
10

-6

10

10

4.145

10-17

1.113

10-24
1.509

-17

10
2.988

-11

10
1.113

-17

10
4.659

-17

10
4.007

10-11
1.783
-36
10
1.783

10-20
2.497

10-14

10
5.610
10

35

9.310
8
10

5.610
10

29

931.0

12

-30

1.660
-27
10

1 meter kgf = 9.807 joule, 1 watt-sec = 1 joule = 1 nt-meter, 1 cm-dyne = 1 erg Some
conversions used in spectroscopy:
1 eV = 8065.7 cm

-1

-1

1 cm = 0.000124 eV

1 eV 6000K

At 300K,

3
kT 0.05 eV
2

NOTES FOR TABLE L: The electron volt is the kinetic energy an electron gains from being
accelerated through the potential difference of one volt in an electric field. The units enclosed by
heavy lines are not properly energy units; they arise from the relativistic mass-energy equivalent
2
formula E = mc .
M. SPECIFIC ENERGY
cal

erg

JOULE

Btu

ft - lbf

hp - hr

gm

gm

KGM

lbm

lbm

lb m

4.186

4.186

1.400

1 calorie per
gram =
1 erg per gram =
1 JOULE per
KILOGRAM

10

1
2.389
-8
10
2.389
= 10

1 Btu per
pound (mass)=
1 foot-pound per

10

1
-4

pound (mass)=
1 horsepower-hour

0.5557
7.142
-4
10
1.414

per pound (mass)=

10

10

10

2.326
7
10
2.990
4
10
5.920
10

10

-4

1.800
4.299
-8
10
4.299
10

1
2.326
3
10
2.990

-4

1
1.285
-3
10

5.920
6

10

2.545

7.072
-4

10
3.346
-5
10

10
1.690
-11
10
1.690

0.3346

10

777.9

3.929
-4
10
5.051
-7
10

1
1.980
6

10

-7

(SEE NOTE FOR TABLE N)

13

N. SPECIFIC ENERGY PER UNIT TEMPERATURE

cal

erg

JOULE

Btu

ft - lbf

hp - hr

gm
C

gm
C

KGM K

lbm F

lbm F

lb m F

4.186

4.186

1 calorie per gram

per degree C
1 erg per gram
per degree C

=
=

1 JOULE per KGM

per DEGREE K
1 Btu per lb (mass)
per degree F

1
2.389
-8
10

10

2.389

10

10

1.000

777.9

10

2.388
-8
10

1.859
-5
10

2.388

10

-4

-4

1.000
=

1 foot-lb per lb (mass)

per degree F
=
1 horsepower-hour per

1.286
-3
10
2.546

lb (mass) per degree F=

10

10
4.187
7
10

4.187
3
10

5.382
4
10
1.066

5.382

10

11

-4

3.929
-4

10
9.376
-12
10
9.376
-8

0.1859

10

777.9

3.929
-4
10

1.285
-3
10

1.066

2.545

10

1.980

5.051
-7
10
1

10

NOTE FOR TABLES M & N: The engineering units enclosed within the heavy lines
have been properly related to the pound mass rather than the pound force because these
specific thermal quantities depend on unit mass and have nothing to do with weight.
However, in engineering practice it is customary to relate energy and energy per degree
to weight. Thus we speak of Btu/lb, ft-lb/lb and hp-hr/lb of weight. The conversion
factors given in Tables M & N are equally valid for this purpose if the local acceleration
2
2
of gravity if the earth standard value of g = 32.174 ft/sec = 9.80665 meter/sec . This is
true because the pound-force and the pound-mass are numerically equal at standard
gravity. It should be realized that relating specific quantities to weight, rather than mass,
involves a change of concept because weight and mass are not dimensional equivalents.
The relation between units of mass and weight is not a relation between the concepts of
mass and weight. The units are related by
2

lbf = 32.174 lbm ft/sec

14

O. POWER
Btu
hr

1 British thermal

unit per hour

1 British thermal

unit per second

1 foot-pound per

minute
1 foot-pound per

= 10

second
1 horsepower

= 4.628
= 2545

3600
7.713
-2

Btu
sec

ft - lb
min

ft lb
sec

2.778

12.97

0.2161

10
1

-4

4.669

2.142

10
1

-3

10
0.7069

kw

3.929

7.000

2.930

-4

-2

-4

10
1.414

10
252.0

10

-2

3.3

0.2930
1.055

2.260

10
2.260

1.667

60

WATT

10
1.055

-5

10
1.286

777.9

cal
sec

hp

3.030
-5

10
1.818

5.399
-3

550
3.087

5.613

-2

10
1.356

178.2

10
0.7457

745.7

4.186

4.186

-3

10
1

-5

10
0.3239

10
1.356

-3

10
1.852

1 calorie per
second
1 kilowatt

= 14.29
= 3413

0.3950
0.9481

10
4.425
10

-3

737.6

= 3.413

10

-4

238.9

10
1

0.2389

0.001

1000

9.481
1 WATT

10
1.341

-3

1.341
44.25

0.7376

10

-3

15

P. HEAT FLUX*
cal

kilocal

sec - cm

1 calorie per sec

2

per centimeter

1 kilocalorie per hour

1 WATT per
2

METER

10

in

3.600

4.185

10

10

-4

0.3687

2.560

3.704

10

0.3171

7.112

1.448

10

-7

-7

ft

5.212

6.117

0.8602

hp

-2

10

-4

1.327

27.00

10

2
sec- in

6.452

10

10

-4

1.246
10

-4

9.481

-2

1.333

7.535
-5
10

1550

2.713

3.153

2.035
-3
10

1.406

1.635

1.055

5.184

10

10

10

10

39.06

1 horsepower per
2

hr- ft

-5

10

2.390

1 British thermal unit

2

1.163

Btu

Btu

7.500

-5

1 British thermal unit

2
per hour per foot
=

foot

10

10

per sec per inch

hr m

2.778

per meter

1 watt per inch

watt

WATT

0.1918

491.5

10

2.546

10
8027
5.179
*Also power per unit area

10

0.1931

1.929
-6
10

3.928
-4
10

203.6

6.905

-4

4.911
10

-3

Q. HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT, h

cal

WATT

2
2
seccm C M K

1 calorie per sec

2
per centimeter - C =
2

1 WATT per METER

per DEG KELVIN =
2
1 watt per inch per
deg Centigrade
=
1 Btu per hour per
2

per foot - F
1 Btu per sec per
2

inch - F
1 horsepower per
2

foot - F

=
=
=

4.185

10

2.390
-5

Btu

2
in C

hr - ft F

sec - in F

7.372

1.422

10

10
3.398

27.00
-4

10

10

1550
5.675

1
3.663
-3
10
1.899
10 3

70.31
0.3452

2.943
10 6
1.445
10 4

9.322

2
ft F

2.895

-2

6.452
1

1.356
-4
10

Btu

10
3.704

-2

hp

watt

6.922

-7

-5

0.1762

10
5.267

10

273.1
1

10

1.929
-6
10

0.1073
3.928
-4
10

203.6

5.184
10 5
2.546
10

-4

4.911
10

-3

16

R. R. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY, k

1 calorie per sec per

centimeter-deg C

Btu

Btu

hp

seccm
C

METERK

in C

hr - ft F

sec - in F

ft F

418.5

10.63

241.9

1 Btu per sec per

=

2.540

1.338

-2

-5

10

-2

10

10

0.5781
22.76

1.730

-3

4.394
10

10

7.474

1.898

4.320

10

10

-4

2.315

-2

1.786
10

10
5.269
10

39.37

-3

10.52

4403

111.8

10

-2

2.271
-4

10
8.939
10

-3

3.929
10

-4

16.97

5.894
=

9.503

10

1 horsepower per
foot-deg F

10

-3

-3

4.134
=

5.600

2.390
10
9.407

1 Btu per hour per

inch-deg F

watts

per DEG KELVIN =

foot-deg F

WATTS

1 WATT per METER

1 watt per inch per
deg Centigrade

cal

2546

10

-2

17

S. ABSOLUTE OR DYNAMIC VISCOSITY,

centipoise

10

1 centipoise

1 poise

100

1 kg (force) sec
2

per meter

1 lb (force) sec
2
per foot
1 KILOGRAM per
METER-SEC

kgm f sec
meter

-2

9.807
=

10

98.07

4.788
4
10

4.788
2
10

10

1.488
3
10

lb sec
ft

2.089
-5
10
2.089

10

10

lb m

KGM

1.020
-4
10
1.020

ft
sec

MSEC
-3
10

6.720
-4
10
6.720

-3

0.100

0.2048

9.807

6.590

4.882

47.88

32.174

0.6720

1.488

-2

10

-2

2.089

1 lb (mass) per
foot sec

poise

10
14.88

0.1020
0.1518

10 -2
3.108
-2
10

NOTE FOR TABLE S: The absolute viscosity is properly expressed in force units according
to its definition. In heat transfer and fluid mechanics it is usually expressed in massequivalent units to avoid the use of a conversion factor in Reynolds Number. Mass units
have been used in the portion of the table enclosed in heavy lines. The proper force units
2
for in the mksq system are NEWTON-SEC per METER ; they are seldom used. The
poise is the cgs force unit and is defined by
dyne - second
1 poise = 1
2
centimeter
T. KINEMATIC VISCOSITY, =
centistoke

10

1 centistoke

1 stoke

100

10

9.290 10

1 METER /SEC
2

1 ft /sec

stoke

METER /SEC

-2

10
10

10
4

-6

1.076 10

-4

1.076 10

1
9.290 10

929.0

ft /sec
-5
-3

10.76
-2

1 stoke = 1 centimeter /sec

18

AA.
abcoul
1 abcoulomb
(1 emu)

1 ampere-hour

1 COULOMB

ELECTRIC CHARGE
amp-hr
2.778
10

360

0.100

1 statcoulomb
(1 esu)

1 electronic charge

10
3600

2.778
10

1 faraday

-3

COUL

-4

9.652
3
10
3.336

26.81
9.266

9.652
4
10
3.336

-11

-14

-10

10

10

10

faraday
1.036

statcoul
2.998

10

10

-4

10

3.730

1.079

10

10

-2

13

1.036

2.998

10

10

-5

2.893
14
10
1

3.456
10

-15

-19

= 1.602 10 coulombs
-19
9
= (1.602 10 )(2.998 10 ) statcoulomb
-10
= 4.8 10 esu

BB. ELECTRIC CURRENT

abamp

AMP

statamp
10

1 abampere (1 emu)

10

2.998 10

1 AMPERE

0.100

2.998 10

1 statampere (1 esu)

CC.

-11

3.336 10

-10

3.336 10

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL, ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE

abv

VOLT
10

1 abvolt (1 emu)

1 VOLT

10

1 statvolt (1 esu)

2.998 10

-8

1
10

299.8

statv
-11

3.336 10

3.336 10

-3

19

DD.

ELECTRIC RESISTANCE
abohm

10

1 abohm (1 emu)

1 OHM

10

1 statohm (1 esu)

8.987 10

EE.

1 ohm-centimeter

1 OHM-METER =
1 statohm-centimeter
(1 esu)
=

1 FARAD

1.113 10
1.113 10

1
20

8.987 10

abohm-cm

ohm-cm

10-9

11

-21
-12

=
=

OHM-M statohm-cm

10-11

1.113

10-21
10

10

11

0.0100

100

8.987

8.987

8.987

20

11

10

10
1.662

166.2

10

FF.

1 abfarad (1 emu)

-9

ELECTRIC RESISTIVITY, RECIPROCAL CONDUCTIVITY

1 abohm-centimeter
(1 emu)
=

1 ohm-circular mil
per foot

statohm

OHM

-12

-7

10

10

10

10

5.406
18
10
1

-19

CAPACITANCE
FARAD

10

-9

statf

15

8.987

10

10

10
6

10-15

1 statfarad (1 esu)

1.113

1.113

1.113

-21

-12

-6

10

-6

10

11

8.987
5
10

10

20

8.987
10

1 microfarad

10

10

6.015

-10

1
1.850

-9

-3

10
6.015

10
1.113

10
1.662

abf

10

1.113

ohm-circ
mil/ft
6.015

21

20

GG.

1 abhenry
(1 emu)
1 HENRY

=
=

1 microhenry

abhenry

HENRY

stathenry

10-9

0.001

1.113
-21
10
1.113

10

INDUCTANCE

10

10

10

-6

10-12
1.113
10-18

1 stathenry
(1 esu)

8.987
20
10

II.

8.987
11
10

8.987
17
10

MAGNETIC FLUX

maxwell

kiloline

WEBER

0.001

10-8

1 maxwell
(1 line or 1 emu)

1 kiloline

1000

1 WEBER

10

10

10
5

-5

1 esu = 2.998 webers

II.

MAGNETOMOTIVE FORCE
abamp-turn

AMP-TURN

gilbert

1 abamp-turn

10

12.57

1 AMP-TURN

0.100

1.257

1 gilbert

7.958
-2
10

0.7958

1 pragilbert = 4 amp-turn
1 esu = 2.655 10

-11

amp-turn

21

JJ. MAGNETIC FIELD STRENGTH, B

kiloline
2
in

gauss
1 gauss (line per
2
cm )
2
1 kiloline per in

=
=

1 WEBER PER

1 gamma

6.452
-2
10

155.0

10

METER
1 milligauss

=
=
=

10-3

10

WEBER
METER

10

-5

-4

milligauss

gamma
5

1000

10

1.550

1.550

1.550

10

10

10

64.52

6.452

10

10
6.452
-8
10

10

-6

-2

10

-7

10

10

-9

1 esu = 2.998 10 weber/meter

100

-2

10 gauss = 1 tesla

KK.

1 abampere-turn
per centimeter
1 ampere-turn
per centimeter
1 AMPERE-TURN
PER METER
1 ampere-turn
per inch
1 oersted

abamp turn

amp turn

AMP TURN

amp turn

cm

cm

METER

in

10

1000

25.40

12.57

0.100

100

2.54

1.257

10-2

2.540

1.257

=
10
=
=
=

MAGNETIC VECTOR, H

-3

10
3.937

10

-2

-2

0.3937

39.37

0.4947

-2

0.7958

79.58

2.021

10
7.958
10

-2

oersted

1 oersted = 1 gilbert/cm
-9
1 esu = 2.655 10 amp-turn/meter
1 praoersted = 4 amp-turn/meter

22

8.0 ELECTROMAGNETIC CONSTANTS OF FREE SPACE

Maxwell was able to show analytically that the constant appearing in a wave equation
derived for free space (perfect vacuum), for the case e = c = 0 , was the square of the
velocity of propagation of electromagnetic waves in free space. The experiments of Hertz
verified that this velocity was the velocity of light in free space and that
1
c =
0 0
2

where 0 is the permeability of free space and 0 is the permittivity of free space. This equation
is true for any system of units; in the mksq system
8

c
0

=
=

2.997925 10 meter/sec
-6
1.256637 10 henry/meter

8.85416 10

-12

farad/meter

9.0 ELECTROMAGNETIC CONSTANTS OF MATERIALS

The permeability and permittivity of materials are usually given relative to the values of
free space.
Relative permeability

=
0
m

Magnetic Susceptibility

Relative permittivity

e
0
(Dielectric constant)

Electric Susceptibility

=1 +
m

=1 +
e

When looking up values of electromagnetic constants of materials care must be taken to be sure
what values are specified, i.e. , m or m and , e or e . The usual values given are e and m.

m is a number near unity and may be greater or less than unity; m may be positive or
negative but is small compared to unity. e is always greater than unity and may be
significantly larger than unity; e is always positive and may be large compared to unity:
m 1, m ~ 1

c 1

m 0, m << 1

e 0

m is temperature
dependent

possible e >> 1

23

10.0 SOME IMPORTANT DIMENSIONAL CONSTANTS (mksq units)

Name
Speed of light
Universal Gravitational Const.
Avogadros Number
Universal Gas Constant
Standard Volume of Ideal Gas
Plancks Constant
Boltzmanns Constant
Mechanical Equiv. of Heat
Triple Point of Water
Ice Point of Water
Maximum Density of Water
(at 3.98C, 1 atm)
Permeability of Free Space
Permittivity of Free Space
Electronic Charge
Electronic Rest Mass
Proton Rest Mass
Neutron Rest Mass
Mass-Energy Relation
Magnetic Moment of Electron
Compton Wavelength of Electron
First Bohr Orbit Radius in
Hydrogen Atom
Stefan-Boltzmann Const.

Symbol
c
G
N0
R
h
k
J
0

Computational Value

Best Experimental Value

3.00 10 meter/sec
-11
2
2
6.67 10 nt-m /kgm
23
6.02 10 /mole
8.32 joule/mole K
-2
3
2.24 10 meter
-34
6.63 10 joule/sec
-23
1.38 10 joule/K
4.19 joule/cal
273.16 K
273.16 K
3
1 gm/cm

(2.997930 0.000003) 10
-11
(6.673 0.003) 10
23
(6.02486 0.00016) 10
8.31696 0.00034
-2
(2.24207 0.00006) 10
-34
(6.62517 0.00023) 10
-23
(1.38044 0.00007) 10
4.1855 0.0004
273.16 K exactly
273.16 K 0.0002
0.999973

-6

-7

c
a0

1.26 10 henry/meter
-12
8.85 10 farad/meter
-19
1.60 10 coulomb
-31
9.11 10 kgm
-27
1.67 10 kgm
-27
1.67 10 kgm
16
2
2
8.99 10 meter /sec
-32
2
9.28 10 joule-m /weber
-12
2.43 10 meter
-11
5.29 10 meter

5.67 10 joule/sec(K) meter

0
e
m
m
m
2
c = E/m
0

-8

4 10 exactly
-12
(8.85415 0.00002) 10
-19
(1.60206 0.00003) 10
-31
(9.1083 0.0003) 10
-27
(1.67239 0.00004) 10
-27
(1.67470 0.00004) 10
16
(8.98758 0.00003) 10
-32
(9.2837 0.0002) 10
-12
(2.42626 0.00002) 10
-11
(5.29172 0.00002) 10
2

(5.6687 0.0019) 10

24

-8

11.0.

SOME IMPORTANT DIMENSIONLESS GROUPS

Name
Biot
Euler

Group
(Bi) = hL/k
2
(Eu) = p/V

Field of Use
Conduction heat transfer
Fluid mechanics

Fourier
Froude
Graetz
Grashof

(Fo) = /L
(Fr) = V Lg
(Grz) = w&cp/kL
3 2
2
(Grf) = L gt/

Hartmann
Knudsen
Lewis
Mach
Nusselt
Pclet
Prandtl
Reynolds
Magnetic Reynolds
Schmidt
Stanton

(Ha) = (c B0 L / )
(Kn) = /L
(Le) = (Sc)/(Pr) = /D
(M) = V/a
(Nu) = hL/k
(Pe) = (Re)(Pr)
(Pr) = cp/k
(Re) = VL/
(Re)m = c VL
(Sc) = /D
(St) = h/cp V

MHD
Fluid mech., rarified gas flow
Conv. heat & mass transfer
High speed flow
Convection heat transfer
Convection heat transfer
Convection heat transfer
Fluid mech., heat transfer
MHD
Conv. heat & mass transfer
Convection heat transfer

Weber

(We) = V L/
2
(N) = (Ha) /(Re)

Fluid mechanics, free surface

MHD

Conduction heat transfer

Fluid mechanics
Heat transfer, free convection
Heat transfer, free convection
1/ 2

(S) = (Ha) /(Re)(Re)m

Symbols:
B0 Applied mag. field
D Diffusion coefficient
L Characteristic length
V Fluid velocity
a Acoustic velocity
g Gravity
h Heat transfer coefficient
k Thermal conductivity
p Static pressure
Density

MHD
- Mean free path (molecular)
t Temperature difference
w& - Mass rate of flow
cp Specific heat (const. pressure)
- Thermal diffusivity
- Thermal expansion coefficient
- Surface tension
c Electric conductivity
- Viscosity or magnetic permeability
- Time interval

25

12.0 THE PERFECT GAS LAW

A. NOMENCLATURE, DEFINITIONS, AND EQUATIONS
In the following discussion the elementary particle under consideration is the
molecule. Care must be taken to use consistent units, especially to make the proper
distinction between mass and weight units. The units of the gas constant must be
consistent with those used for density or specific volume.
NOMENCLATURE:
Symbol

k
m
n

N
M
N
N0
R
R0
T
V
W

Definition in cgs Units

3

Density in grams per cm

Boltzmanns Constant in ergs/molecule K
Mass of molecule in grams
3

Particle Number Density in molecules/cm

2

Pressure in dynes/ cm
3
Specific Volume in cm per gram
3
Specific Molar Volume in cm /gm-mole
Molecular Weight in gm/gm-mole
Number of moles
Avogadros Number, no. of molecules per gm-mole
Gas Constant in ergs/gm K
Universal Gas Constant in ergs/gm-mole K
Absolute Temperature, degrees Kelvin
Total Volume in cubic centimeters
Weight of Gas in grams

Avogadros Law: All ideal gases at the same temperature and pressure have the same
specific molar volume. At STP (0C, 1 atm), N = 22.4 liters/gm- mole = 22400
3
3
cm /gm-mole = 359 ft /lb-mole. At the same temperature and pressure all ideal gases
contain the same number of molecules per unit volume.
Definition of the mole: The gm-mole is the amount of an ideal gas which will occupy
the same volume as 32 gm of oxygen at STP; the pound-mole is similarly related to 32
lb of oxygen. The weight of a mole of gas is numerically equal to the molecular weight
of the gas.
Forms of the Perfect Gas Law:
p = RT
pN =R0T
Useful Relations:
= nm
m = M/N0
R = R0/M

p = RT = nkT
pV = WRT = N R0T
N0 = nN
N = V/N
N = W/M
26

R0 = N 0 k

27

B. VALUES OF UNIVERSAL GAS CONSTANT, BOLTZMANNS CONSTANT

AND AVOGADROS NUMBER IN DIFFERENT UNITS
Units
ft-lb/lb-mole R
ft-lb/lb-mole K
ft-lb/lb-mole R
Btu/lb-mole R
3
ft atm/lb-mole R

R0
1544
2779
3.407
1.987
0.729

ft atm/lb-mole K

1.315

Units
k
-16
ergs/molecule K
1.38 10
-23
JOULES/MOLECULE K 1.38 10
-24
ft-lb/molecule R
5.655 10
7.267 10

Btu/molecule R
6

1 atm = 1.013 10 dynes/cm

1 erg = 1 dyne-cm

-27

R0
Units
cal/gm-mole K
1.987
3
cm atm/gm-mole K
82.06
liter atm/gm-mole K
0.08206
7
8.313 10
ergs/gm-mole K
JOULES/KGM-MOLE K 8313
3

psia ft /lb-mole R

10.71

N0
Units
23
molecules/gm-mole
6.023 10
26
MOLECULES/KGM-MOLE 6.023 10
molecules/lb-mole

2.73 10

26

-7

1 erg = 10 joule
7
1 ft-lb = 1.356 10 ergs

28

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30