Question of units of B, H in Gaussian system

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Master J
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gaussian System Units
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the magnetic field intensity (H) and the magnetic flux density (B) in the Gaussian system of units, particularly in the context of their usage in equations involving forces on charged particles.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that in "Classical Theory of Fields" by Landau & Lifgarbagez, the force on a charged particle is expressed using H, leading to confusion about the units involved.
  • Another participant states that in Gaussian units, B and H have the same units (gauss) and are identical in free space.
  • A repeated assertion emphasizes that H was originally given the unit 'Oersted', with a historical note that 1 Oersted equals 1 Gauss.
  • A question is raised about whether B and H are entirely interchangeable in Gaussian units.
  • Another participant reiterates that in Gaussian units, B and H have the same units and are identical in free space.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that in Gaussian units, B and H share the same units and are identical in free space. However, there is some uncertainty regarding their interchangeability and the historical context of their definitions.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of confusion regarding the units and their historical definitions, but specific assumptions or limitations are not fully explored.

Master J
Messages
219
Reaction score
0
In "Classical Theory of Fields", by Landau & Lifgarbagez, they give, for example, the force on a charged particle by a magnetic field as:

F = \frac{ev}{c} x H

where H is the magnetic field intensity. Now, normally written in SI units, this expression would use B and no factor of 1/c.

So how are B and H related here? I'm a bit confused over the units in use (which I think may be Gaussian)!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In Gaussian units, B and H have the same units (gauss), and are identical in free space.
For sonme historical reason (and a bit of confusion) H was originally given the unit 'Oersted' with 1 Oersted = 1 Gauss.
 
In Gaussian units, B and H have the same units (gauss), and are identical in free space.
For some historical reason (and a bit of confusion) H was originally given the unit 'Oersted' with 1 Oersted = 1 Gauss.
 
So in Gaussian units, B and H are entirely interchangeable?
 
In Gaussian units, B and H have the same units (gauss), and are identical in free space.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Quadrupole radiation formula for gravity
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Why can coefficient "a" between spacetime intervals depend on velocity between systems?
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
Undergrad Can all fundamental constants be set to 1 in natural unit systems?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad How to Change Between Unit Systems w/ ##c \ne 1, \hbar \ne 1, G \ne 1##
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Graduate Magnetic field produced by moving charge in operator form
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Undergrad Help understanding proof of ds=ds' in Classical Theory of Fields
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Graduate Question about cgs vs SI units in the context of the Debye Length
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Conversion factor when converting from SI to natural units
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Question regarding the use of Electric flux and Field Lines
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
Graduate Landau-Lifshitz pseudotensor - expressing the EM tensor ##T^{ik}##
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K