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Erg

Erg

Published:
Updated: December 22, 2006, 3:19 pm
Topics: Units Energy
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This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry

Definition

An erg is the unit of energy and mechanical work in the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system of units, symbol "erg". The erg is equal to the work done by a force of one dyne acting through a distance of one centimeter. Equivalently, one erg is the kinetic energy of a mass of 2 grams moving at a velocity of 1 cm/s.

History

The name erg is derived from the Greek word ergon meaning "work".

Conversions

1 erg = 1·10-7 joule
1 erg = 6.24·1011 electron-volts
1 erg = 2.78·10-14 kilowatt-hours
1 erg = 3.7·10-14 horsepower hours
1 erg = 9.48452·10-11 Btu (thermal)
1 erg = 2.39006·10-11 kilocalorie (thermal)
1 erg = 7.4·10-8 foot-pound
1 erg = 1 dyne-centimeters

Further reading

Citation

Cutler Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Erg". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth December 22, 2006; Last revised Date December 22, 2006; Retrieved May 26, 2012 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Erg>

The Author

Cutler Cleveland Editor-in-Chief The Encyclopedia of Earth Cutler J. Cleveland is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. Dr. Cleveland is currently a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Boston University, with joint appointments in the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies and the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer Range Future. He also is a Senior Fellow at the National Council for Science and the Environment in Washington D.C. Dr. Cleveland is als ... (Full Bio)

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