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Erg

Erg

Published:
Updated: December 22, 2006, 3:19 pm
Topics: Energy Units
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 J. 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 June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Erg>

The Author

Cutler J. Cleveland Cutler J. Cleveland  is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth.  He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)

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