# Maxwell related equations converted from MKSA units to Gaussian units

1. Sep 3, 2004

### Ed Quanta

So here is an example of what I am trying to do.

We know that div of an E field=p/eo

where p=charge density and eo=the permittivity of free space. This equation is expressed in MKSA units. In order to convert this into Gaussian units, we must multiply E by 1/sqare root of 4*pi*eo, and multiply p by square root of 4*pi*eo.

Thus we are left with E= p*4*pi in Gaussian units

Now where A is a vector field and T is a potential scalar, I know that B=curl of A

and E=-gradient of T -1/c*dA/dt in the Gaussian unitss. I have to then convert this into MKSA. I am not sure what to do here because unlike the example which I dealt with above, I do not know how to convert both sides of the equation accordingly. Help anyone?

2. Sep 3, 2004

### robphy

This might help.
http://electron6.phys.utk.edu/phys594/Tools/e&m/summary/maxwell/maxwell.html [Broken]
( http://electron6.phys.utk.edu/phys594/ [Broken] for the main page)

I once tried to come up with a scheme to write the equations in a way that easily showed the conversion.

For example, I wrote $\nabla\cdot E= \left[ \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\right]4\pi \rho$. However, I never had the time to check that the whole scheme applied to all of electromagnetism was consistent.

Last edited by a moderator: May 1, 2017
3. Sep 4, 2004

### pervect

Staff Emeritus