Understanding milligauss to gauss Conversion
The milligauss (mG) and the gauss (G) are CGS units of magnetic flux density, with one gauss equal to 10⁻⁴ tesla. A milligauss is one-thousandth of a gauss, making it ideal for describing weak fields such as Earth's ambient magnetism and residential electromagnetic exposure. This conversion is common in EMF surveys, geophysics, and consumer magnetic-field measurements where readings are reported in milligauss but compared against gauss-scale references.
Conversion Formula
To convert milligauss to gauss, multiply by this factor:
Step-by-Step Example
Convert 25 milligauss to gauss.
How to Convert milligauss to gauss
Converting milligauss to gauss is a simple decimal shift by a factor of one thousand.
- Note the field strength: Start with your value in milligauss, for example 25 mG.
- Multiply by the factor: Use 0.001 gauss per milligauss.
- Compute: G.
- State the result: 25 mG equals 0.025 gauss.
milligauss to gauss conversion table
| milligauss (mG) | gauss (G) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 2 | 0.002 |
| 3 | 0.003 |
| 4 | 0.004 |
| 5 | 0.005 |
| 6 | 0.006 |
| 7 | 0.007 |
| 8 | 0.008 |
| 9 | 0.009 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 15 | 0.015 |
| 20 | 0.02 |
| 25 | 0.025 |
| 30 | 0.03 |
| 40 | 0.04 |
| 50 | 0.05 |
| 60 | 0.06 |
| 70 | 0.07 |
| 80 | 0.08 |
| 90 | 0.09 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 150 | 0.15 |
| 200 | 0.2 |
| 250 | 0.25 |
| 300 | 0.3 |
| 400 | 0.4 |
| 500 | 0.5 |
| 600 | 0.6 |
| 700 | 0.7 |
| 800 | 0.8 |
| 900 | 0.9 |
| 1000 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 3000 | 3 |
| 4000 | 4 |
| 5000 | 5 |
| 10000 | 10 |
| 25000 | 25 |
| 50000 | 50 |
| 100000 | 100 |
| 250000 | 250 |
| 500000 | 500 |
| 1000000 | 1000 |
What is the milligauss?
The milligauss is a small unit of magnetic flux density (magnetic field strength) equal to one-thousandth of a gauss. It is widely used in geomagnetism, environmental EMF measurements, and consumer magnetometer readings.
Definition
One milligauss is 10⁻³ gauss, and since the gauss is defined as 10⁻⁴ tesla, the milligauss equals 10⁻⁷ tesla in SI units:
The gauss is the CGS-Gaussian unit of magnetic flux density, defined as one maxwell per square centimetre. The SI coherent unit is the tesla (1 T = 1 Wb/m²), so 1 G = 100 µT and 1 mG = 100 nT = 0.1 µT.
Origin and History
The gauss is named after the German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855), a pioneer of geomagnetic measurement who, with Wilhelm Weber, established absolute magnetic units. The milligauss arose naturally as a convenient submultiple for the weak fields encountered in everyday and geophysical work.
Law and Notable Facts
The gauss and milligauss are not SI units; the SI officially uses the tesla. Nonetheless the milligauss remains standard in the EMF-measurement and geomagnetism communities. The Earth's magnetic field is a familiar reference: it ranges from roughly 250 to 650 mG over the surface.
Real-World Examples and Conversions
- Earth's surface magnetic field: about 250–650 mG (25–65 µT).
- A typical household appliance at 30 cm distance: a few mG to tens of mG.
- 1000 mG = 1 gauss = 100 µT = 0.0001 T.
- A refrigerator magnet at its surface: roughly 100–500 G, i.e. 100,000–500,000 mG.
What is the Gauss?
The gauss is the CGS (centimetre-gram-second) unit of magnetic flux density, still widely used in physics, geomagnetism, and the magnet industry. It measures the strength of a magnetic B-field and is named after the mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss.
Definition
One gauss equals one maxwell per square centimetre, and is defined in SI terms as exactly one ten-thousandth of a tesla.
Equivalently, , and . The gauss corresponds to a magnetic flux of one maxwell threading a one-square-centimetre area perpendicular to the field.
Origin and History
The unit honors Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855), who with Wilhelm Weber pioneered absolute measurements of the geomagnetic field. The name "gauss" was assigned to this CGS-EMU unit of magnetic induction by the International Electrotechnical Commission around 1930, formalizing usage that had grown throughout 19th-century electromagnetism.
Law and Notable Facts
The gauss is not an SI unit; the SI equivalent is the tesla. However, it remains entrenched in practice, and manufacturers routinely rate permanent magnets in gauss or kilogauss. The residual field strength of magnetic materials (remanence) for strong neodymium magnets is around 12,000–14,000 gauss (1.2–1.4 T).
Real-World Examples and Conversions
- Earth's surface magnetic field is about 0.25–0.65 gauss (25–65 microtesla).
- A typical refrigerator magnet is roughly 50–100 gauss at its surface.
- A 1.5 T MRI scanner corresponds to 15,000 gauss.
- 1 gauss = 0.0001 T = 0.1 mT = 100 microtesla.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gauss are in a milligauss?
There are 0.001 gauss in a milligauss, since the prefix "milli" means one-thousandth.
How do I convert gauss back to milligauss?
Multiply the gauss value by 1000. For example, 0.5 G equals 500 mG.
Why are EMF fields measured in milligauss?
Everyday magnetic fields — from power lines, appliances, and Earth itself — are small fractions of a gauss, so milligauss give readable whole numbers for exposure surveys.
How strong is Earth's magnetic field in these units?
Earth's field is roughly 250–650 milligauss (0.25–0.65 gauss) depending on location.
Are gauss and milligauss SI units?
No; they belong to the older CGS system. The SI unit of magnetic flux density is the tesla, where 1 gauss equals 10⁻⁴ tesla.
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Complete milligauss conversion table
| Unit | Result |
|---|---|
| teslas (T) | 1e-7 T |
| milliteslas (mT) | 0.0001 mT |
| microteslas (uT) | 0.1 uT |
| gauss (G) | 0.001 G |