Gauss (unit) facts for kids

The gauss (symbol G) is the CGS unit used to measure magnetic fields. One gauss is defined as one maxwell per square centimeter. The tesla (symbol T) is the SI derived unit used to measure the strength of magnetic fields. There are 10,000 (10⁴) gauss in one tesla.

The unit is named in honor of the German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss.

Example values

• 10⁻⁹–10⁻⁸ gauss – the magnetic field of the human brain
• 0.31–0.58 gauss – the Earth's magnetic field at its surface
• 25 gauss – the Earth's magnetic field in its core
• 50 gauss – a typical refrigerator magnet
• 100 gauss – a small iron magnet
• 600-70,000 gauss – a medical magnetic resonance imaging machine
• 10¹²–10¹³ gauss – the magnetic field on the surface of a neutron star
• 4×10¹³ gauss – the quantum electrodynamic threshold
• 10¹⁵ gauss – the magnetic field of some newly created magnetars
• 10¹⁷ gauss – the upper limit to neutron star magnetism; no known object in the universe can generate a stronger magnetic field

See also

In Spanish: Gauss (unidad) para niños