Gaussian Units - Alternative Unit Systems

Alternative Unit Systems

The main alternative to the Gaussian unit system is SI units, historically also called the MKSA system of units for metre-kilogram-second-ampere.

The Gaussian unit system is just one of several electromagnetic unit systems within CGS. Others include "electrostatic units", "electromagnetic units", and Lorentz–Heaviside units.

Some other unit systems are called "natural units", a category that includes atomic units, Planck units, and others.

SI units are by far the most common today. In engineering and practical areas, SI is near-universal and has been for decades, while in technical, scientific literature (such as theoretical physics and astronomy), Gaussian units were predominant until recent decades, but are now getting progressively less so.

Natural units are most common in more theoretical and abstract fields of physics, particularly particle physics and string theory.

Read more about this topic:  Gaussian Units

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