Re: Oersted to Gauss; Conversion Factors

[Rick Mannix <rcmannix@uci.edu>]

At 03:33 PM 05/11/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>Folks,
>
>I have a dilemma with the documentation for a tape 
>demagnitizer.
>
>The unit's magnetic output is rated in "oersteds."  I 
>thought these would be easily converted to "gauss," but 
>it seems that the units do not measure the same 
>quantities, and they do not appear to be easily converted 
>one to the other.
>
>Is there a conversion formula for the two units?  Barring 
>that, is there a thumb rule that relates the two 
>quantities?

Gauss is a unit of magnetic flux density 
Oersted is a unit of magnetic field strength 

For most purposes, gauss and oersted are essentially equivalent.

For example, a 1 oersted magnetic field strength in air is about equal to a
1 gauss magnetic flux density in air.



Rick Mannix
Health Physicist
Laser Safety Officer
University of California
Irvine, CA 92697-2725

949-824-6098
rcmannix@uci.edu
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