Is Magnetic Susceptibility Dependent on Units?

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SUMMARY

Magnetic susceptibility (Xm) is defined as Xm = M/H and is fundamentally independent of the unit system used, whether MKS or CGS. The confusion arises from the different representations of magnetization and magnetic field strength in these systems, leading to varying numerical values for Xm. For instance, the susceptibility of oxygen is approximately 10^-4 in CGS units and 10^-8 in MKS units, but these values are equivalent when accounting for conversion factors. The relationship between magnetization and magnetic field differs in the SI and Gauss systems, with the conversion factor being 4π.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic susceptibility and its formula (Xm = M/H)
  • Familiarity with unit systems, specifically MKS and CGS
  • Knowledge of magnetization and magnetic field strength concepts
  • Basic grasp of electromagnetic units in both SI and Gauss systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the conversion factors between CGS and MKS unit systems for magnetic properties
  • Study the differences between SI and Gauss systems in electromagnetic contexts
  • Explore the implications of using different unit systems in scientific literature
  • Learn about the practical applications of magnetic susceptibility in materials science
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Physicists, materials scientists, and students studying electromagnetism who seek to clarify the relationship between magnetic susceptibility and unit systems.

sniffer
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i think magnetic susceptibility xm=M/H is contant and independent of the units we are working with.

in different refferences, they sometimes quote mks or cgs units which gives different value of Xm. It confuses me. Is Xm units dependent?

for example Xm for oxygen is about 10^-4 in cgs units but 10^-8n in mks units. i get very confused.

please help.
 
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The values mean the same. They just differ by constants. Convert the value from one unit system to another and you'll see that.
 
You are not the first, neither you will be the last. The problem is that magnetization and magnetic field may be measured in different units. The relation between magnetization, magnetic field strength, and magnetic field is also different in SI and Gauss system. Moreover, there are two versions of gauss system for electromagnetic units!

Gauss system
Electromagnetic
B=H+4\pi M
Electrostatic
c^2 B=H+4\pi M

SI

B=\mu_0 (H+M)
 
sniffer said:
i get very confused.
You're hardly alone. :smile:

The cgs unit is emu/cc-Oe, the SI unit is A/m-T. The conversion factor, however, should only be 4 \pi.

Can you provide your source ?
 

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