Gauss (unit)

The gauss (symbol: G or Gs) is a unit of measurement of magnetic flux density, also known as magnetic induction. It is part of the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system of units.

One gauss is defined as one maxwell per square centimeter. In terms of SI units, one gauss is equal to 10^-4 tesla (T). Therefore, 1 T = 10,000 G.

Although the gauss is not an SI unit and its use is discouraged in scientific and technical writing in favor of the tesla, it remains prevalent in some specialized fields, particularly in measurements of weak magnetic fields, such as those found in geophysics and some medical applications. Furthermore, it is often used in characterizing permanent magnets.

The term "gauss" is named after Carl Friedrich Gauss, a German mathematician and physicist.