The gauss is a unit of magnetic field measurement named after Carl Frederich Gauss. One gauss equals one Maxwell per square centimeter and measures the velocity of flux within a magnetic density. It can be used to measure the flux density of any material with a magnetic field.
Named for German mathematician Carl Frederich Gauss, the gauss is a unit of magnetic field measurement. Often abbreviated to G when referred to in official publications and scientific formulas, it is understood that one gauss equals one Maxwell per square centimeter. The essential idea behind this measurement is to be able to quantify the amount of magnetic flux density within a magnetic field.
Besides being an excellent mathematician, Gauss was also renowned as one of the best German physicists. While studying the phenomenon of creating and manipulating magnetic energy, Gauss developed his own formula for measuring changes within a magnetic field, including identifying a base unit that would help identify the degree of flux present at a given time and under specific conditions. As is true with many scientific discoveries, his name became the common name for that identifying unit.
It is important to make the distinction that one gauss only refers to the velocity of flux within the magnetic density of a field. A separate unit of measurement, known as an oersted, is employed when the magnetic field strength is the object under study. While similar in nature, each unit helps to provide different information about the function and shape of the field under investigation.
The gauss can be used in measuring the flux density of any material believed to possess a magnetic field. For example, a hand-sized iron magnet would likely have a unit of measurement of 100 gauss. By comparison, a large industrial electromagnet would most likely represent a measurement of around 15,000 gauss. The method for determining the measurement is considered so accurate that physicists can even use gauss to calculate a measurement for various stars, based on information about the star’s magnetic field.
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