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List of conversion factors

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(Redirected from Distance conversion)

This article gives a list of conversion factors for several physical quantities. A number of different units (some only of historical interest) are shown and expressed in terms of the corresponding SI unit. Conversions between units in the metric system are defined by their prefixes (for example, 1 kilogram = 1000 grams, 1 milligram = 0.001 grams) and are thus not listed in this article. Exceptions are made if the unit is commonly known by another name (for example, 1 micron = 10−6 metre). Within each table, the units are listed alphabetically, and the SI units (base or derived) are highlighted.

The following quantities are considered: length, area, volume, plane angle, solid angle, mass, density, time, frequency, velocity, volumetric flow rate, acceleration, force, pressure (or mechanical stress), torque (or moment of force), energy, power (or heat flow rate), action, dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity, electric current, electric charge, electric dipole, electromotive force (or electric potential difference), electrical resistance, capacitance, magnetic flux, magnetic flux density, inductance, temperature, information entropy, luminous intensity, luminance, luminous flux, illuminance, radiation.

Legend
Symbol Definition
exactly equal
approximately equal to
(exactly) corresponds to (different types of quantity describing the same phenomenon)
digits indicates that digits repeat infinitely (e.g. 8.294369 corresponds to 8.294369369369369...)
(H) of chiefly historical interest

Length

[edit]
Length
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
ångström Å 1×10−10 m ≡ 0.1 nm
astronomical unit au 149597870700 m
≈ Distance from Earth to Sun
149597870700 m [1]
attometre am 1×10−18 m 1×10−18 m
barleycorn (H) = 13 in (see note above about rounding) = 8.46×10−3 m
bohr, atomic unit of length a0 = Bohr radius of hydrogen 5.2917721092(17)×10−11 m[2]
cable length (imperial) ≡ 608 ft ≈ 185.3184 m
cable length (International) 110 nmi ≡ 185.2 m
cable length (US) ≡ 720 ft = 219.456 m
chain (Gunter's; Surveyor's) ch ≡ 66 ft (US) ≡ 4 rods[3] 20.11684 m
cubit (H) ≡ Distance from fingers to elbow ≈ 18 in ≈ 0.5 m
ell (H) ell ≡ 45 in [4] (In England usually) = 1.143 m
fathom ftm ≡ 6 ft [4] = 1.8288 m
femtometre fm 1×10−15 m 1×10−15 m
fermi fm 1×10−15 m[4] 1×10−15 m
finger 78 in = 0.022225 m
finger (cloth) 4+12 in = 0.1143 m
foot (Benoît) (H) ft (Ben) 0.304799735 m
foot (Cape) (H) Legally defined as 1.033 English feet in 1859 0.314858 m
foot (Clarke's) (H) ft (Cla) 0.3047972654 m
foot (Indian) (H) ft Ind 0.304799514 m
foot, metric mf ≡ 300 mm ≡ 0.3 m
foot, metric (Mesures usuelles) (H) 13 m ≡ 0.3 m
foot (International) ft ≡ 0.3048 m ≡ 13 yd ≡ 12 inches ≡ 0.3048 m
foot (Sear's) (H) ft (Sear) 0.30479947 m
foot (US Survey) ft (US) 12003937 m [5] 0.304800610 m
french; charriere F 13 mm = 0.3×10−3 m
furlong fur ≡ 10 chains = 660 ft = 220 yd [4] = 201.168 m
hand ≡ 4 in [4] ≡ 0.1016 m
inch (International) in ≡ 2.54 cm ≡ 136 yd ≡ 112 ft ≡ 0.0254 m
league (land) lea ≈ 1 hour walk, Currently defined in US as 3 Statute miles,[3] but historically varied from 2 to 9 km 4828 m
light-day ≡ 24 light-hours 2.59020683712×1013 m
light-hour ≡ 60 light-minutes 1.0792528488×1012 m
light-minute ≡ 60 light-seconds 1.798754748×1010 m
light-second ≡ Distance light travels in one second in vacuum 299792458 m
light-year ly ≡ Distance light travels in vacuum in 365.25 days [6] 9.4607304725808×1015 m
line ln 112 in [7] = 0.002116 m
link (Gunter's; Surveyor's) lnk 1100 ch [4] ≡ 0.66 ft (US) ≡ 7.92 in 0.2011684 m
link (Ramsden's; Engineer's) lnk ≡ 1 ft [4] = 0.3048 m
metre (SI base unit)
(meter)
m ≡ Distance light travels in 1299792458 of a second in vacuum.[8] (SI base unit)
mickey 1200 in = 1.27×10−4 m
micrometre (old: micron) μ; μm 1×10−6 m 1×10−6 m
mil; thou mil 1×10−3 in = 2.54×10−5 m
mil (Sweden and Norway) mil ≡ 10 km = 10000 m
mile (geographical) (H) 6082 ft = 1853.7936 m
mile (international) mi ≡ 80 chains ≡ 5280 ft1760 yd 1609.344 m
mile (tactical or data) 6000 ft 1828.8 m
mile (telegraph) (H) mi 6087 ft = 1855.3176 m
mile (US Survey) mi 5280 US Survey feet ≡ (5280 × 12003937) m 1609.347219 m
nail (cloth) 2+14 in [4] = 0.05715 m
nanometre nm 1×10−9 m 1×10−9 m
nautical league NL; nl ≡ 3 nmi [4] = 5556 m
nautical mile (Admiralty) NM (Adm);
nmi (Adm)
= 6080 ft = 1853.184 m
nautical mile (international) NM; nmi 1852 m[9] 1852 m
nautical mile (US pre 1954) ≡ 1853.248 m ≡ 1853.248 m
pace ≡ 2.5 ft [4] = 0.762 m
palm ≡ 3 in [4] = 0.0762 m
parsec pc Distant point with a parallax shift of one arc second from a base of one astronomical unit.
648000/π au[10][11]
30856775814913700 m[12]
pica ≡ 12 points Dependent on point measures.
picometre pm 1×10−12 m 1×10−12 m
point (American, English)[13][14] pt 172.272 in 0.000351450 m
point (Didot; European) [14][15] pt 112 × 172 of pied du roi;
After 1878:
5133 cm
0.00037597 m;
After 1878:
0.00037593985 m
point (PostScript) [13] pt 172 in = 0.0003527 m
point (TeX) [13] pt 172.27 in = 0.0003514598 m
quarter 14 yd = 0.2286 m
rod; pole; perch (H) rd 16+12 ft = 5.0292 m
rope (H) rope ≡ 20 ft [4] = 6.096 m
shaku (Japan) ≡ 10/33 m ≈ 0.303 0303 m
span (H) ≡ 9 in [4] = 0.2286 m
spat[16] 1×1012 m
stick (H) ≡ 2 in = 0.0508 m
soot ≡ 1/8 in = 0.0031 m
toise (French, post 1667) (H) T ≡ 27000/13853 m ≈ 1.949 0363 m
twip twp 11440 in = 1.7638×10−5 m
x unit; siegbahn xu 1.0021×10−13 m [4]
yard (International) yd ≡ 0.9144 m [5] ≡ 3 ft ≡ 36 in ≡ 0.9144 m
yoctometre ym 1×10−24 m 1×10−24 m
zeptometre zm 1×10−21 m 1×10−21 m

Area

[edit]
Area
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
acre (international) ac 1 ch × 10 ch = 4840 sq yd 4046.8564224 m2
acre (US survey) ac ≡ 10 sq ch = 4840 sq yd, also 43560 sq ft 4046.873 m2[17]
are a ≡ 100 m2 ≡ 100 m2
barn b ≡ 10−28 m2 ≡ 10−28 m2
barony 4000 ac 1.61874256896×107 m2
board bd 1 in × 1 ft 7.74192×10−3 m2
boiler horsepower equivalent direct radiation bhp EDR ≡ 1 ft2 × 1 bhp / (240 BTUIT/h) 12.958174 m2
circular inch circ in π4 sq in 5.067075×10−4 m2
circular mil; circular thou circ mil π4 mil2 5.067075×10−10 m2
cord ≡ 192 bd 1.48644864 m2
cuerda (PR Survey) cda ≡ 1 cda x 1 cda = 0.971222 acre 3930.395625 m2
dunam 1000 m2 1000 m2
guntha (India) ≡ 121 sq yd ≈ 101.17 m2
hectare ha 10000 m2 10000 m2
hide ≈ 120 ac (variable) 5×105 m2
rood ro 14 ac = 1011.7141056 m2
ping 2011 m × 2011 m 3.306 m2
section 1 mi × 1 mi = 2.589988110336×106 m2
shed ≡ 10−52 m2 = 10−52 m2
square (roofing) 10 ft × 10 ft = 9.290304 m2
square chain (international) sq ch 66 ft × 66 ft = 110 ac 404.68564224 m2
square chain (US Survey) sq ch 66 ft (US) × 66 ft (US) = 110 US survey acre 404.6873 m2
square foot sq ft 1 ft × 1 ft 9.290304×10−2 m2
square foot (US Survey) sq ft 1 ft (US) × 1 ft (US) 9.2903411613275×10−2 m2
square inch sq in 1 in × 1 in 6.4516×10−4 m2
square kilometre km2 ≡ 1 km × 1 km = 106 m2
square link (Gunter's)(International) sq lnk ≡ 1 lnk × 1 lnk ≡ 0.66 ft × 0.66 ft = 4.0468564224×10−2 m2
square link (Gunter's)(US Survey) sq lnk 1 lnk × 1 lnk0.66 ft (US) × 0.66 ft (US) 4.046872×10−2 m2
square link (Ramsden's) sq lnk ≡ 1 lnk × 1 lnk ≡ 1 ft × 1 ft = 0.09290304 m2
square metre (SI unit) m2 ≡ 1 m × 1 m = 1 m2
square mil; square thou sq mil ≡ 1 mil × 1 mil = 6.4516×10−10 m2
square mile sq mi ≡ 1 mi × 1 mi 2.589988110336×106 m2
square mile (US Survey) sq mi ≡ 1 mi (US) × 1 mi (US) 2.58999847×106 m2
square rod/pole/perch sq rd ≡ 1 rd × 1 rd = 25.29285264 m2
square yard (International) sq yd ≡ 1 yd × 1 yd 0.83612736 m2
stremma 1000 m2 = 1000 m2
township ≡ 36 sq mi (US) 9.323994×107 m2
yardland ≈ 30 ac 1.2×105 m2

Volume

[edit]
Volume
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
acre-foot ac ft ≡ 1 ac x 1 ft = 43560 cu ft = 1233.48183754752 m3
acre-inch ≡ 1 ac × 1 in = 102.79015312896 m3
barrel (imperial) bl (imp) ≡ 36 gal (imp) = 0.16365924 m3
barrel (petroleum); archaic blue-barrel bl; bbl ≡ 42 gal (US) 0.158987294928 m3
barrel (US dry) bl (US) ≡ 105 qt (US) = 105/32 bu (US lvl) = 0.115628198985075 m3
barrel (US fluid) fl bl (US) 31+12 gal (US) = 0.119240471196 m3
board-foot bdft ≡ 144 cu in 2.359737216×10−3 m3
bucket (imperial) bkt ≡ 4 gal (imp) = 0.01818436 m3
bushel (imperial) bu (imp) ≡ 8 gal (imp) = 0.03636872 m3
bushel (US dry heaped) bu (US) 1+14 bu (US lvl) = 0.0440488377086 m3
bushel (US dry level) bu (US lvl) 2150.42 cu in = 0.03523907016688 m3
butt, pipe ≡ 126 gal (US) (wine) = 0.476961884784 m3
coomb ≡ 4 bu (imp) = 0.14547488 m3
cord (firewood) 8 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft = 3.624556363776 m3
cord-foot ≡ 16 cu ft = 0.453069545472 m3
cubic fathom cu fm ≡ 1 fm × 1 fm × 1 fm = 6.116438863872 m3
cubic foot ft3 ≡ 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 ft 0.028316846592 m3
cubic inch in3 ≡ 1 in × 1 in × 1 in 16.387064×10−6 m3
cubic metre (SI unit) m3 ≡ 1 m × 1 m × 1 m ≡ 1 m3
cubic mile cu mi ≡ 1 mi × 1 mi × 1 mi 4168181825.440579584 m3
cubic yard yd3 ≡ 27 cu ft 0.764554857984 m3
cup (breakfast) ≡ 10 fl oz (imp) = 284.130625×10−6 m3
cup (Canadian) c (CA) ≡ 8 fl oz (imp) = 227.3045×10−6 m3
cup (metric) c 250.0×10−6 m3 250.0×10−6 m3
cup (US customary) c (US) ≡ 8 US fl oz ≡ 116 gal (US) = 236.5882365×10−6 m3
cup (US food nutrition labeling) c (US) ≡ 240 mL[18] = 2.4×10−4 m3
dash (imperial) 1192 gi (imp) = 1/8 tsp (imp) = 739.92350260416×10−9 m3
dash (US) 148 US fl oz = 1/8 US tsp = 616.11519921875×10−9 m3
dessertspoon (imperial) 112 gi (imp) = 11.8387760416×10−6 m3
drop (imperial) gtt 1288 fl oz (imp) = 98.6564670138×10−9 m3
drop (imperial) (alt) gtt 11824 gi (imp) 77.886684×10−9 m3
drop (medical) 112 mL = 83.3×10−9 m3
drop (metric) 120 mL = 50.0×10−9 m3
drop (US) gtt 1360 US fl oz = 82.14869322916×10−9 m3
drop (US) (alt) gtt 1456 US fl oz 64.85423149671×10−9 m3
drop (US) (alt) gtt 1576 US fl oz 51.34293326823×10−9 m3
fifth 15 US gal = 757.0823568×10−6 m3
firkin ≡ 9 gal (imp) = 0.04091481 m3
fluid drachm (imperial) fl dr 18 fl oz (imp) = 3.5516328125×10−6 m3
fluid dram (US); US fluidram fl dr 18 US fl oz = 3.6966911953125×10−6 m3
fluid scruple (imperial) fl s 124 fl oz (imp) = 1.18387760416×10−6 m3
gallon (beer) beer gal ≡ 282 cu in = 4.621152048×10−3 m3
gallon (imperial) gal (imp) 4.54609 L 4.54609×10−3 m3
gallon (US dry) gal (US) 18 bu (US lvl) = 4.40488377086×10−3 m3
gallon (US fluid; Wine) gal (US) ≡ 231 cu in 3.785411784×10−3 m3
gill (imperial); Noggin gi (imp); nog ≡ 5 fl oz (imp) = 142.0653125×10−6 m3
gill (US) gi (US) ≡ 4 US fl oz = 118.29411825×10−6 m3
hogshead (imperial) hhd (imp) ≡ 2 bl (imp) = 0.32731848 m3
hogshead (US) hhd (US) ≡ 2 fl bl (US) = 0.238480942392 m3
jigger (bartending) 1+12 US fl oz 44.36×10−6 m3
kilderkin ≡ 18 gal (imp) = 0.08182962 m3
lambda λ ≡ 1 mm3 = 1×10−9 m3
last ≡ 80 bu (imp) = 2.9094976 m3
litre
(liter)
L or l ≡ 1 dm3 [19] ≡ 0.001 m3
load ≡ 50 cu ft = 1.4158423296 m3
minim (imperial) min 1480 fl oz (imp) = 1/60 fl dr (imp) = 59.1938802083×10−9 m3
minim (US) min 1480 US fl oz = 160 US fl dr = 61.611519921875×10−9 m3
ounce (fluid imperial) fl oz (imp) 1160 gal (imp) 28.4130625×10−6 m3
ounce (fluid US customary) US fl oz 1128 gal (US) 29.5735295625×10−6 m3
ounce (fluid US food nutrition labeling) US fl oz ≡ 30 mL[18] 3×10−5 m3
peck (imperial) pk ≡ 2 gal (imp) = 9.09218×10−3 m3
peck (US dry) pk 14 US lvl bu = 8.80976754172×10−3 m3
perch per 16+12 ft × 1+12 ft × 1 ft = 0.700841953152 m3
pinch (imperial) 1384 gi (imp) = 12 dash (imp) = 369.961751302083×10−9 m3
pinch (US) 196 US fl oz = 12 US dash = 308.057599609375×10−9 m3
pint (imperial) pt (imp) 18 gal (imp) = 568.26125×10−6 m3
pint (US dry) pt (US dry) 164 bu (US lvl) ≡ 18 gal (US dry) = 550.6104713575×10−6 m3
pint (US fluid) pt (US fl) 18 gal (US) = 473.176473×10−6 m3
pony 34 US fl oz = 22.180147171875×10−6 m3
pottle; quartern 12 gal (imp) = 80 fl oz (imp) = 2.273045×10−3 m3
quart (imperial) qt (imp) 14 gal (imp) = 1.1365225×10−3 m3
quart (US dry) qt (US) 132 bu (US lvl) = 14 gal (US dry) = 1.101220942715×10−3 m3
quart (US fluid) qt (US) 14 gal (US fl) = 946.352946×10−6 m3
quarter; pail ≡ 8 bu (imp) = 0.29094976 m3
register ton ≡ 100 cu ft = 2.8316846592 m3
sack (US) ≡ 3 bu (US lvl) = 0.10571721050064 m3
seam ≡ 8 bu [16] = 0.29095 m3
shot (US) usually 1.5 US fl oz[16] 44.4×10−6 m3
strike (imperial) ≡ 2 bu (imp) = 0.07273744 m3
strike (US) ≡ 2 bu (US lvl) = 0.07047814033376 m3
tablespoon (Australian metric) 20.0×10−6 m3
tablespoon (Canadian) tbsp 12 fl oz (imp) = 14.20653125×10−6 m3
tablespoon (imperial) tbsp 58 fl oz (imp) = 17.7581640625×10−6 m3
tablespoon (metric) 15×10−6 m3
tablespoon (US customary) tbsp 12 US fl oz = 14.78676478125×10−6 m3
tablespoon (US food nutrition labeling) tbsp ≡ 15 mL[18] = 15×10−6 m3
teaspoon (Canadian) tsp 16 fl oz (imp) = 4.735510416×10−6 m3
teaspoon (imperial) tsp 124 gi (imp) = 5.91938802083×10−6 m3
teaspoon (metric) 5.0×10−6 m3 5.0×10−6 m3
teaspoon (US customary) tsp 16 US fl oz = 4.92892159375×10−6 m3
teaspoon (US food nutrition labeling) tsp ≡ 5 mL[18] = 5×10−6 m3
timber foot ≡ 1 cu ft = 0.028316846592 m3
ton (displacement) ≡ 35 cu ft = 0.99108963072 m3
ton (freight) ≡ 40 cu ft = 1.13267386368 m3
ton (water) ≡ 28 bu (imp) = 1.01832416 m3
tun ≡ 252 gal (wine) = 0.953923769568 m3
wey (US) ≡ 40 bu (US lvl) = 1.4095628066752 m3

Plane angle

[edit]
Plane angle
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
NATO mil (various) 6400 rad 0.981748×10−3 rad
Swedish streck 6300 rad 0.997302×10−3 rad
milliradian mrad 11000 rad 1×10−3 rad
Warsaw Pact mil 6000 rad 1.047167×10−3 rad
arcminute; MOA ' 60 0.290888×10−3 rad
arcsecond " 3600 4.848137×10−6 rad
centesimal minute of arc ' 1100 grad 0.157080×10−3 rad
centesimal second of arc " 110000 grad 1.570796×10−6 rad
degree (of arc) ° 1360 of a revolution ≡ π180 rad 17.453293×10−3 rad
grad; gradian; gon grad 1400 of a revolution ≡ π200 rad ≡ 0.9° 15.707963×10−3 rad
octant ≡ 45° 0.785398 rad
quadrant ≡ 90° 1.570796 rad
radian (SI unit) rad The angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to the circle's radius.
One full revolution encompasses 2π radians.
= 1 rad
sextant ≡ 60° 1.047198 rad
sign ≡ 30° 0.523599 rad

Solid angle

[edit]
Solid angle
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
spat ≡ 4π sr[16] – The solid angle subtended by a sphere at its centre. 12.56637 sr
square degree deg2; sq.deg.; (°)2 ≡ (π180)2 sr 0.30462×10−3 sr
steradian (SI unit) sr The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere of radius r by a portion of the sphere having an area r2.
A sphere subtends 4π sr.[16]
= 1 sr

Mass

[edit]

Notes:

  • See Weight for detail of mass/weight distinction and conversion.
  • Avoirdupois is a system of mass based on a pound of 16 ounces, while Troy weight is the system of mass where 12 troy ounces equals one troy pound.
  • The symbol g0 is used to denote standard gravity in order to avoid confusion with the (upright) g symbol for gram.
Mass
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic mass unit, unified u; AMU Same as dalton (see below) ≈ 1.66053906892(52)×10−27 kg[20]
atomic unit of mass, electron rest mass me 9.1093837139(28)×10−31 kg[21]
bag (coffee) ≡ 60 kg = 60 kg
bag (Portland cement) ≡ 94 lb av = 42.63768278 kg
barge 22+12 short ton = 20411.65665 kg
carat kt 3+16 gr = 205.1965483 mg
carat (metric) ct ≡ 200 mg = 200 mg
clove ≡ 8 lb av = 3.62873896 kg
crith ≡ mass of 1 L of hydrogen gas at STP ≈ 89.9349 mg
dalton Da 1/12 the mass of an unbound neutral atom of carbon-12 in its nuclear and electronic ground state and at rest 1.66053906892(52)×10−27 kg[20]
dram (apothecary; troy) dr t ≡ 60 gr = 3.8879346 g
dram (avoirdupois) dr av 27+1132 gr = 1.7718451953125 g
electronvolt mass-equivalent eV/c2 ≡ 1 eV / c2 = 1.78266184(45)×10−36 kg[3]
gamma γ ≡ 1 μg = 1 μg
grain gr 17000 lb av 64.79891 mg
grave gv grave was the original name of the kilogram ≡ 1 kg
hundredweight (long) long cwt or cwt ≡ 112 lb av = 50.80234544 kg
hundredweight (short); cental sh cwt ≡ 100 lb av = 45.359237 kg
hyl; metric slug ≡ 1 kgf / 1 m/s2 = 9.80665 kg
kilogram
(kilogramme)
kg ≈ mass of the prototype near Paris
≈ mass of 1 litre of water
(SI base unit)[8]
kip kip 1000 lb av = 453.59237 kg
mark ≡ 8 oz t = 248.8278144 g
mite 120 gr = 3.2399455 mg
mite (metric) 120 g = 50 mg
ounce (apothecary; troy) oz t 112 lb t = 31.1034768 g
ounce (avoirdupois) oz av 116 lb = 28.349523125 g
ounce (US food nutrition labelling) oz ≡ 28 g[18] = 28 g
pennyweight dwt; pwt 120 oz t = 1.55517384 g
point 1100 ct = 2 mg
pound (avoirdupois) lb av 0.45359237 kg = 7000 grains 0.45359237 kg
pound (metric) ≡ 500 g = 500 g
pound (troy) lb t 5760 grains = 0.3732417216 kg
quarter (imperial) 14 long cwt = 2 st = 28 lb av = 12.70058636 kg
quarter (informal) 14 short ton = 226.796185 kg
quarter, long (informal) 14 long ton = 254.0117272 kg
quintal (metric) q ≡ 100 kg = 100 kg
scruple (apothecary) s ap ≡ 20 gr = 1.2959782 g
sheet 1700 lb av = 647.9891 mg
slug; geepound slug g0 × 1 lb av × 1 s2/ft 14.593903 kg
stone st ≡ 14 lb av = 6.35029318 kg
ton, assay (long) AT ≡ 1 mg × 1 long ton ÷ 1 oz t = 32.6 g
ton, assay (short) AT ≡ 1 mg × 1 short ton ÷ 1 oz t = 29.16 g
ton, long long tn or ton 2240 lb = 1016.0469088 kg
ton, short sh tn 2000 lb = 907.18474 kg
tonne (mts unit) t 1000 kg = 1000 kg
wey ≡ 252 lb = 18 st = 114.30527724 kg (variants exist)
zentner Ztr. Definitions vary.[16][22]

Density

[edit]
Density
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gram per millilitre g/mL ≡ g/mL = 1000 kg/m3
kilogram per cubic metre (SI unit) kg/m3 ≡ kg/m3 = 1 kg/m3
kilogram per litre kg/L ≡ kg/L = 1000 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic foot oz/ft3 ≡ oz/ft3 1.001153961 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic inch oz/in3 ≡ oz/in3 1.729994044×103 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (imperial) oz/gal ≡ oz/gal 6.236023291 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (US fluid) oz/gal ≡ oz/gal 7.489151707 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per cubic foot lb/ft3 ≡ lb/ft3 16.01846337 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per cubic inch lb/in3 ≡ lb/in3 2.767990471×104 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (imperial) lb/gal ≡ lb/gal 99.77637266 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (US fluid) lb/gal ≡ lb/gal 119.8264273 kg/m3
slug per cubic foot slug/ft3 ≡ slug/ft3 515.3788184 kg/m3

Time

[edit]
Time
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of time a.u. a0/(αc) 2.418884254×10−17 s
Callippic cycle ≡ 441 mo (hollow) + 499 mo (full) = 76 a of 365.25 d = 2.396736 Gs or 2.3983776 Gs[note 1]
century c ≡ 100 years (100 a) 3.1556952 Gs[note 2][note 3]
day d = 24 h = 1440 min = 86.4 ks[note 3]
day (sidereal) d ≡ Time needed for the Earth to rotate once around its axis, determined from successive transits of a very distant astronomical object across an observer's meridian (International Celestial Reference Frame) 86.1641 ks
decade dec ≡ 10 years (10 a) = 315.569520 Ms[note 2][note 3]
fortnight fn ≡ 2 wk = 1.2096 Ms[note 3]
helek 11080 h = 3.3 s
Hipparchic cycle ≡ 4 Callippic cycles - 1 d = 9.593424 Gs
hour h ≡ 60 min = 3.6 ks[note 3]
jiffy j 160 s = 16.6 ms
jiffy (alternative) ja 1100 s = 10 ms
(quarter of an hour) 14 h = 196 d = 15 min = 900 s
kè (traditional) 1100 d = 14.4 min = 864 s
lustre; lūstrum ≡ 5 a of 365 d[note 4] = 157.68 Ms
Metonic cycle; enneadecaeteris ≡ 110 mo (hollow) + 125 mo (full) = 6940 d ≈ 19 a = 599.616 Ms
millennium 1000 years (1000 a) 31.556952 Gs[note 2][note 3]
milliday md 11000 d = 86.4 s
minute min ≡ 60 s, due to leap seconds sometimes 59 s or 61 s, = 60 s[note 3]
moment ≡ 90 s = 90 s
month (full) mo ≡ 30 d[23] = 2.592×106 s[note 3]
month (Greg. av.) mo = 30.436875 d 2.6297 Ms[note 3]
month (hollow) mo ≡ 29 d[23] = 2.5056 Ms[note 3]
Month (synodic) mo Cycle time of moon phases ≈ 29.530589 d (average) 2.551 Ms
octaeteris = 48 mo (full) + 48 mo (hollow) + 3 mo (full)[24][25] = 8 a of 365.25 d = 2922 d = 252.4608 Ms[note 3]
Planck time ≡ (Gc5)12 5.39116×10−44 s[26]
second (SI base unit) s ≡ Time of 9192631770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom at 0 K[8] (but other seconds are sometimes used in astronomy). Also that time it takes for light to travel a distance of 299792458 metres. (SI base unit)
shake ≡ 10−8 s = 10 ns
sigma ≡ 10−6 s = 1 μs
Sothic cycle 1461 a of 365 d = 46.074096 Gs
svedberg S ≡ 10−13 s = 100 fs
week wk ≡ 7 d = 168 h = 10080 min = 604.8 ks[note 3]
year (common) a, y, or yr 365 d = 31.536 Ms[note 3][27]
year (Gregorian) a, y, or yr = 365.2425 d average, calculated from common years (365 d) plus leap years (366 d) on most years divisible by 4. See leap year for details. = 31.556952 Ms[note 3]
year (Julian) a, y, or yr = 365.25 d average, calculated from common years (365 d) plus one leap year (366 d) every four years = 31.5576 Ms
year (leap) a, y, or yr 366 d = 31.6224 Ms[note 3][27]
year (mean tropical) a, y, or yr Conceptually, the length of time it takes for the Sun to return to the same position in the cycle of seasons, [Converter 1] approximately 365.24219 d, each day being 86400 SI seconds[28] 31.556925 Ms
year (sidereal) a, y, or yr ≡ Time taken for Sun to return to the same position with respect to the stars of the celestial sphere, approximately 365.256363 d 31.5581497632 Ms
Notes:
  1. ^ see Callippic cycle for explanation of the differences
  2. ^ a b c This is based on the average Gregorian year. See above for definition of year lengths.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Where UTC is observed, the length of this unit may increase or decrease
    depending on the number of leap seconds which occur during the time interval in question.
  4. ^ The length of ancient lustral cycles was not constant; see Lustrum for more details

Frequency

[edit]
Frequency
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
actions per minute APM ≡ 1/60 Hz 0.0167 Hz
cycle per second cps ≡ 1 Hz = 1 cps = 1 Hz
degree per second deg/s ≡ 1 °/s ≡ 1/360 Hz = 0.0027 Hz
hertz (SI unit) Hz ≡ One cycle per second = 1 Hz = 1/s
radian per second rad/s ≡ 1/(2π) Hz 0.159155 Hz
revolution per minute rpm ≡ One rpm equals one rotation completed around a fixed axis in one minute of time. 0.104719755 rad/s

Speed or velocity

[edit]
Speed
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
foot per hour fph ≡ 1 ft/h = 8.46×10−5 m/s
foot per minute fpm ≡ 1 ft/min = 5.08×10−3 m/s
foot per second fps ≡ 1 ft/s = 3.048×10−1 m/s
furlong per fortnight ≡ furlong/fortnight 1.663095×10−4 m/s
inch per hour iph ≡ 1 in/h = 7.05×10−6 m/s
inch per minute ipm ≡ 1 in/min = 4.23×10−4 m/s
inch per second ips ≡ 1 in/s = 2.54×10−2 m/s
kilometre per hour km/h ≡ 1 km/h = 2.7×10−1 m/s
knot kn ≡ 1 nmi/h = 1.852 km/h = 0.514 m/s
knot (Admiralty) kn ≡ 1 NM (Adm)/h = 1.853184 km/h[29] = 0.514773 m/s
mach number M Ratio of the speed to the speed of sound[note 1] in the medium (unitless). ≈ 340 m/s in air at sea level
≈ 295 m/s in air at jet altitudes
metre per second (SI unit) m/s ≡ 1 m/s = 1 m/s
mile per hour mph ≡ 1 mi/h = 0.44704 m/s
mile per minute mpm ≡ 1 mi/min = 26.8224 m/s
mile per second mps ≡ 1 mi/s = 1609.344 m/s
speed of light in vacuum c 299792458 m/s = 299792458 m/s
speed of sound in air s 1225 to 1062 km/h (761–660 mph or 661–574 kn)[note 1] 340 to 295 m/s
Note
  1. ^ a b The speed of sound varies especially with temperature and pressure from about 340 m/s (1,225 km/h or 761 mph or 661 kn)
    in air at sea level to about 300 m/s (1,062 km/h or 660 mph or 573 kn) at jet altitudes (12200 m or 40000 ft).[30]

A velocity consists of a speed combined with a direction; the speed part of the velocity takes units of speed.

Flow (volume)

[edit]
Volumetric flow rate
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
cubic foot per minute CFM[citation needed] ≡ 1 ft3/min = 4.719474432×10−4 m3/s
cubic foot per second ft3/s ≡ 1 ft3/s = 0.028316846592 m3/s
cubic inch per minute in3/min ≡ 1 in3/min = 2.7311773×10−7 m3/s
cubic inch per second in3/s ≡ 1 in3/s = 1.6387064×10−5 m3/s
cubic metre per second (SI unit) m3/s ≡ 1 m3/s = 1 m3/s
gallon (US fluid) per day GPD[citation needed] ≡ 1 gal/d = 4.381263638×10−8 m3/s
gallon (US fluid) per hour GPH[citation needed] ≡ 1 gal/h = 1.051503273×10−6 m3/s
gallon (US fluid) per minute GPM[citation needed] ≡ 1 gal/min = 6.30901964×10−5 m3/s
litre per minute l/min or L/min ≡ 1 L/min = 1.6×10−5 m3/s

Acceleration

[edit]
Acceleration
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
foot per hour per second fph/s ≡ 1 ft/(h⋅s) = 8.46×10−5 m/s2
foot per minute per second fpm/s ≡ 1 ft/(min⋅s) = 5.08×10−3 m/s2
foot per second squared fps2 ≡ 1 ft/s2 = 3.048×10−1 m/s2
gal; galileo Gal ≡ 1 cm/s2 = 10−2 m/s2
inch per minute per second ipm/s ≡ 1 in/(min⋅s) = 4.23×10−4 m/s2
inch per second squared ips2 ≡ 1 in/s2 = 2.54×10−2 m/s2
knot per second kn/s ≡ 1 kn/s ≈ 5.14×10−1 m/s2
metre per second squared (SI unit) m/s2 ≡ 1 m/s2 = 1 m/s2
mile per hour per second mph/s ≡ 1 mi/(h⋅s) = 4.4704×10−1 m/s2
mile per minute per second mpm/s ≡ 1 mi/(min⋅s) = 26.8224 m/s2
mile per second squared mps2 ≡ 1 mi/s2 = 1.609344×103 m/s2
standard gravity g0 9.80665 m/s2 = 9.80665 m/s2

Force

[edit]
Force
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of force meα2c2a0 8.23872206×10−8 N[31]
dyne (CGS unit) dyn ≡ g⋅cm/s2 = 10−5 N
kilogram-force; kilopond; grave-force kgf; kp; gvf g0 × 1 kg = 9.80665 N
kip; kip-force kip; kipf; klbf g0 × 1000 lb = 4.4482216152605×103 N
milligrave-force, gravet-force mgvf; gvtf g0 × 1 g = 9.80665 mN
long ton-force tnf[citation needed] g0 × 1 long ton = 9.96401641818352×103 N
newton (SI unit) N A force capable of giving a mass of one kilogram an acceleration of one metre per second per second.[32] = 1 N = 1 kg⋅m/s2
ounce-force ozf g0 × 1 oz = 0.27801385095378125 N
pound-force lbf g0 × 1 lb = 4.4482216152605 N
poundal pdl ≡ 1 lb⋅ft/s2 = 0.138254954376 N
short ton-force tnf[citation needed] g0 × 1 short ton = 8.896443230521×103 N
sthene (mts unit) sn ≡ 1 t⋅m/s2 = 103 N

Pressure or mechanical stress

[edit]
Pressure
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atmosphere (standard) atm 101325 Pa[33]
atmosphere (technical) at ≡ 1 kgf/cm2 = 9.80665×104 Pa[33]
bar bar 100000 Pa ≡ 105 Pa
barye (CGS unit) ≡ 1 dyn/cm2 = 0.1 Pa
centimetre of mercury cmHg 13595.1 kg/m3 × 1 cm × g0 1.33322×103 Pa[33]
centimetre of water (4 °C) cmH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 cm × g0 98.0638 Pa[33]
foot of mercury (conventional) ftHg 13595.1 kg/m3 × 1 ft × g0 4.063666×104 Pa[33]
foot of water (39.2 °F) ftH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 ft × g0 2.98898×103 Pa[33]
inch of mercury (conventional) inHg 13595.1 kg/m3 × 1 in × g0 3.386389×103 Pa[33]
inch of water (39.2 °F) inH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 in × g0 249.082 Pa[33]
kilogram-force per square millimetre kgf/mm2 ≡ 1 kgf/mm2 = 9.80665×106 Pa[33]
kip per square inch ksi ≡ 1 kipf/sq in 6.894757×106 Pa[33]
long ton per square foot ≡ 1 long ton × g0 / 1 sq ft 1.0725178011595×105 Pa
micrometre of mercury μmHg 13595.1 kg/m3 × 1 μm × g0 ≈ 0.001 torr 0.1333224 Pa[33]
millimetre of mercury mmHg 13595.1 kg/m3 × 1 mm × g0 ≈ 1 torr 133.3224 Pa[33]
millimetre of water (3.98 °C) mmH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 mm × g0 = 0.999972 kgf/m2 = 9.80638 Pa
pascal (SI unit) Pa ≡ N/m2 = kg/(m⋅s2) = 1 Pa[34]
pièze (mts unit) pz 1000 kg/m⋅s2 = 103 Pa = 1 kPa
pound per square foot psf ≡ 1 lbf/ft2 47.88026 Pa[33]
pound per square inch psi ≡ 1 lbf/in2 6.894757×103 Pa[33]
poundal per square foot pdl/sq ft ≡ 1 pdl/sq ft 1.488164 Pa[33]
short ton per square foot ≡ 1 short ton × g0 / 1 sq ft 9.5760518×104 Pa
torr torr 101325760 Pa 133.3224 Pa[33]

Torque or moment of force

[edit]
Torque
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
pound-force-foot lbf⋅ft g0 × 1 lb × 1 ft = 1.3558179483314004 N⋅m
poundal-ft pdl⋅ft ≡ 1 lb⋅ft2/s2 = 4.21401100938048×10−2 N⋅m
pound force-inch lbf⋅in g0 × 1 lb × 1 in = 0.1129848290276167 N⋅m
kilogram force-meter kgf⋅m g0 × N × m = 9.80665 N⋅m
newton-metre (SI unit) N⋅m ≡ N × m = kg⋅m2/s2 = 1 N⋅m

Energy

[edit]
Energy
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
barrel of oil equivalent boe 5.8×106 BTU59 °F 6.12×109 J
British thermal unit (ISO) BTUISO 1.0545×103 J = 1.0545×103 J
British thermal unit (International Table) BTUIT = 1.05505585262×103 J
British thermal unit (mean) BTUmean 1.05587×103 J
British thermal unit (thermochemical) BTUth 1.054350×103 J
British thermal unit (39 °F) BTU39 °F 1.05967×103 J
British thermal unit (59 °F) BTU59 °F 1.054804×103 J = 1.054804×103 J
British thermal unit (60 °F) BTU60 °F 1.05468×103 J
British thermal unit (63 °F) BTU63 °F 1.0546×103 J
calorie (International Table) calIT 4.1868 J = 4.1868 J
calorie (mean) calmean 1100 of the energy required to warm one gram of air-free water from 0 °C to 100 °C at a pressure of 1 atm 4.19002 J
calorie (thermochemical) calth ≡ 4.184 J = 4.184 J
Calorie (US; FDA) Cal ≡ 1 kcal = 1000 cal = 4184 J
calorie (3.98 °C) cal3.98 °C 4.2045 J
calorie (15 °C) cal15 °C ≡ 4.1855 J = 4.1855 J
calorie (20 °C) cal20 °C 4.1819 J
Celsius heat unit (International Table) CHUIT ≡ 1 BTUIT × 1 K/°R = 1.899100534716×103 J
cubic centimetre of atmosphere; standard cubic centimetre cc atm; scc ≡ 1 atm × 1 cm3 = 0.101325 J
cubic foot of atmosphere; standard cubic foot cu ft atm; scf ≡ 1 atm × 1 ft3 = 2.8692044809344×103 J
cubic foot of natural gas 1000 BTUIT = 1.05505585262×106 J
cubic yard of atmosphere; standard cubic yard cu yd atm; scy ≡ 1 atm × 1 yd3 = 77.4685209852288×103 J
electronvolt eV e × 1 V 1.602176634×10−19 J
erg (CGS unit) erg ≡ 1 g⋅cm2/s2 = 10−7 J
foot-pound force ft lbf g0 × 1 lb × 1 ft = 1.3558179483314004 J
foot-poundal ft pdl ≡ 1 lb⋅ft2/s2 = 4.21401100938048×10−2 J
gallon-atmosphere (imperial) imp gal atm ≡ 1 atm × 1 gal (imp) = 460.63256925 J
gallon-atmosphere (US) US gal atm ≡ 1 atm × 1 gal (US) = 383.5568490138 J
hartree, atomic unit of energy Eh ≡ meα2c2 (= 2 Ry) 4.359744×10−18 J
horsepower-hour hp⋅h ≡ 1 hp × 1 h = 2.684519537696172792×106 J
inch-pound force in lbf g0 × 1 lb × 1 in = 0.1129848290276167 J
joule (SI unit) J The work done when a force of one newton moves the point of its application a distance of one metre in the direction of the force.[32] = 1 J = 1 m⋅N = 1 kg⋅m2/s2 = 1 C⋅V = 1 W⋅s
kilocalorie; large calorie kcal; Cal 1000 calIT = 4.1868×103 J
kilowatt-hour; Board of Trade Unit kW⋅h; B.O.T.U. ≡ 1 kW × 1 h = 3.6×106 J
litre-atmosphere l atm; sl ≡ 1 atm × 1 L = 101.325 J
quad ≡ 1015 BTUIT = 1.05505585262×1018 J
rydberg Ry Rc 2.179872×10−18 J
therm (E.C.) 100000 BTUIT = 105.505585262×106 J
therm (US) 100000 BTU59 °F = 105.4804×106 J
thermie th ≡ 1 McalIT = 4.1868×106 J
tonne of coal equivalent TCE ≡ 7 Gcalth = 29.288×109 J
tonne of oil equivalent toe ≡ 10 GcalIT = 41.868×109 J
ton of TNT tTNT ≡ 1 Gcalth = 4.184×109 J
watt-hour W⋅h ≡ 1 W × 1 h = 3.6×103 J
watt-second W⋅s ≡ 1 J = 1×100 J

Power or heat flow rate

[edit]
Power
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atmosphere-cubic centimetre per minute atm ccm[citation needed] ≡ 1 atm × 1 cm3/min = 1.68875×10−3 W
atmosphere-cubic centimetre per second atm ccs[citation needed] ≡ 1 atm × 1 cm3/s = 0.101325 W
atmosphere-cubic foot per hour atm cfh[citation needed] ≡ 1 atm × 1 cu ft/h = 0.79700124704 W
atmosphere-cubic foot per minute atm cfm[citation needed] ≡ 1 atm × 1 cu ft/min = 47.82007468224 W
atmosphere-cubic foot per second atm cfs[citation needed] ≡ 1 atm × 1 cu ft/s = 2.8692044809344×103 W
BTU (International Table) per hour BTUIT/h ≡ 1 BTUIT/h 0.293071 W
BTU (International Table) per minute BTUIT/min ≡ 1 BTUIT/min 17.584264 W
BTU (International Table) per second BTUIT/s ≡ 1 BTUIT/s = 1.05505585262×103 W
calorie (International Table) per second calIT/s ≡ 1 calIT/s = 4.1868 W
erg per second erg/s ≡ 1 erg/s = 10−7 W
foot-pound-force per hour ft⋅lbf/h ≡ 1 ft lbf/h 3.766161×10−4 W
foot-pound-force per minute ft⋅lbf/min ≡ 1 ft lbf/min = 2.259696580552334×10−2 W
foot-pound-force per second ft⋅lbf/s ≡ 1 ft lbf/s = 1.3558179483314004 W
horsepower (boiler) hp ≈ 34.5 lb/h × 970.3 BTUIT/lb 9809.5 W[35]
horsepower (European electrical) hp ≡ 75 kp⋅m/s = 736 W[citation needed]
horsepower (electrical) hp ≡ 746 W = 746 W[35]
horsepower (mechanical) hp ≡ 550 ft⋅lbf/s[35] = 745.69987158227022 W
horsepower (metric) hp or PS ≡ 75 m⋅kgf/s = 735.49875 W[35]
litre-atmosphere per minute L·atm/min ≡ 1 atm × 1 L/min = 1.68875 W
litre-atmosphere per second L·atm/s ≡ 1 atm × 1 L/s = 101.325 W
lusec lusec ≡ 1 L·μmHg/s [16] 1.333×10−4 W
poncelet p ≡ 100 m⋅kgf/s = 980.665 W
square foot equivalent direct radiation sq ft EDR ≡ 240 BTUIT/h 70.337057 W
ton of air conditioning 2000 lb of ice melted / 24 h 3504 W
ton of refrigeration (imperial) 2240 lb × iceIT / 24 h: iceIT = 144 °F × 2326 J/kg⋅°F 3.938875×103 W
ton of refrigeration (IT) 2000 lb × iceIT / 24 h: iceIT = 144 °F × 2326 J/kg⋅°F 3.516853×103 W
watt (SI unit) W The power which in one second of time gives rise to one joule of energy.[32] = 1 W = 1 J/s = 1 N⋅m/s = 1 kg⋅m2/s3

Action

[edit]
Action
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of action au 2π 1.05457168×10−34 J⋅s[36]

Dynamic viscosity

[edit]
Dynamic viscosity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
pascal second (SI unit) Pa⋅s ≡ N⋅s/m2, kg/(m⋅s) = 1 Pa⋅s
poise (CGS unit) P ≡ 1 barye⋅s = 0.1 Pa⋅s
pound per foot hour lb/(ft⋅h) ≡ 1 lb/(ft⋅h) 4.133789×10−4 Pa⋅s
pound per foot second lb/(ft⋅s) ≡ 1 lb/(ft⋅s) 1.488164 Pa⋅s
pound-force second per square foot lbf⋅s/ft2 ≡ 1 lbf⋅s/ft2 47.88026 Pa⋅s
pound-force second per square inch lbf⋅s/in2 ≡ 1 lbf⋅s/in2 6894.757 Pa⋅s

Kinematic viscosity

[edit]
Kinematic viscosity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
square foot per second ft2/s ≡ 1 ft2/s = 0.09290304 m2/s
square metre per second (SI unit) m2/s ≡ 1 m2/s = 1 m2/s
stokes (CGS unit) St ≡ 1 cm2/s = 10−4 m2/s

Electric current

[edit]
Electric current
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
ampere (SI base unit) A ≡ one coulomb of charge going past a given point per second.[37] (SI base unit)
electromagnetic unit; abampere (CGS unit) abamp ≘ 10 A = 10 A
esu per second; statampere (CGS unit) esu/s ≘ (10 A⋅cm/s) / c 3.335641×10−10 A

Electric charge

[edit]
Electric charge
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
abcoulomb; electromagnetic unit (CGS unit) abC; emu ≘ 10 C = 10 C
atomic unit of charge au e = 1.602176634×10−19 C
coulomb C ≡ charge of exactly 1/(1.602176634×10−19) elementary charges[37] = 1 C = 1 A⋅s
faraday F ≡ 1 mol × NAe 96485.3383 C
milliampere hour mA⋅h ≡ 0.001 A × 1 h = 3.6 C
statcoulomb; franklin; electrostatic unit (CGS unit) statC; Fr; esu ≘ (10 A⋅cm) / c 3.335641×10−10 C

Electric dipole

[edit]
Electric dipole
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of electric dipole moment ea0 8.47835281×10−30 C⋅m[38]
coulomb-meter C⋅m = 1 C⋅m
debye D ≡ 10−10 esu⋅Å 3.33564095×10−30 C⋅m[39]

Electromotive force, electric potential difference

[edit]
Voltage, electromotive force
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
abvolt (CGS unit) abV ≘ 10−8 V = 10−8 V
statvolt (CGS unit) statV c⋅(1 μJ/A⋅m) = 299.792458 V
volt (SI unit) V The difference in electric potential across two points along a conducting wire carrying one ampere of constant current when the power dissipated between the points equals one watt.[32] = 1 V = 1 W/A = 1 kg⋅m2/(A⋅s3) = 1 J/C

Electrical resistance

[edit]
Electrical resistance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
ohm (SI unit) Ω The resistance between two points in a conductor when one volt of electric potential difference, applied to these points, produces one ampere of current in the conductor.[32] = 1 Ω = 1 V/A = 1 kg⋅m2/(A2⋅s3)

Capacitance

[edit]
Capacitor's ability to store charge
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
farad (SI unit) F The capacitance between two parallel plates that results in one volt of potential difference when charged by one coulomb of electricity.[32] = 1 F = 1 C/V = 1 A2⋅s4/(kg⋅m2)

Magnetic flux

[edit]
Magnetic flux
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
maxwell (CGS unit) Mx ≘ 10−8 Wb[35] = 10−8 Wb
weber (SI unit) Wb Magnetic flux which, linking a circuit of one turn, would produce in it an electromotive force of 1 volt if it were reduced to zero at a uniform rate in 1 second.[32] = 1 Wb = 1 V⋅s = 1 kg⋅m2/(A⋅s2)

Magnetic flux density

[edit]
What physicists call magnetic field is called magnetic flux density by electrical engineers and magnetic induction by applied mathematicians and electrical engineers.
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gauss (CGS unit) G Mx/cm2 ≘ 10−4 T = 10−4 T [40]
tesla (SI unit) T Wb/m2 = 1 T = 1 Wb/m2 = 1 kg/(A⋅s2)

Inductance

[edit]
Inductance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
henry (SI unit) H The inductance of a closed circuit that produces one volt of electromotive force when the current in the circuit varies at a uniform rate of one ampere per second.[32] = 1 H = 1 Wb/A = 1 kg⋅m2/(A⋅s)2

Temperature

[edit]
Temperature
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
degree Celsius °C [°C] ≡ [K] − 273.15 [K] ≡ [°C] + 273.15
degree Delisle °De [K] = 373.15 − [°De] × 23
degree Fahrenheit °F [°F] ≡ [°C] × 95 + 32 [K] ≡ ([°F] + 459.67) × 59
degree Newton °N [K] = [°N] × 10033 + 273.15
degree Rankine °R; [°R] ≡ [K] × 95 [K] ≡ [°R] × 5/9
degree Réaumur °Ré [K] = [°Ré] × 54 + 273.15
degree Rømer °Rø [K] = ([°Rø] − 7.5) × 4021 + 273.15
Regulo Gas Mark GM [°F] ≡ [GM] × 25 + 250 [K] ≡ [GM] × 1259 + 394.26
kelvin (SI base unit) K ≡ change in the thermodynamic temperature T that results in a change of thermal energy kT by 1.380 649 × 10−23 J.[41] (SI base unit)

Information entropy

[edit]
Information entropy
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units Relation to bits
natural unit of information; nit; nepit nat
shannon Sh ≡ ln(2) × nat 0.693147 nat = 1 bit
hartley; ban Hart; ban ≡ ln(10) × nat 2.302585 nat
bit bit; b = 1 bit
nibble ≡ 4 bits = 22 bit
byte B ≡ 8 bits = 23 bit
kilobyte (decimal) kB 1000 B = 8000 bit
kibibyte (kilobyte) KiB 1024 B = 213 bit = 8192 bit

Modern standards (such as ISO 80000) prefer the shannon to the bit as a unit for a quantity of information entropy, whereas the (discrete) storage space of digital devices is measured in bits. Thus, uncompressed redundant data occupy more than one bit of storage per shannon of information entropy. The multiples of a bit listed above are usually used with this meaning.

Luminous intensity

[edit]

The candela is the preferred nomenclature for the SI unit.

Luminous intensity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
candela (SI base unit) cd The luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540×1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.[37] (SI base unit)
candlepower (new) cp ≡ cd The use of candlepower as a unit is discouraged due to its ambiguity. = 1 cd
candlepower (old, pre-1948) cp Varies and is poorly reproducible.[42] Approximately 0.981 cd.[16] ≈ 0.981 cd

Luminance

[edit]
Luminance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
candela per square foot cd/ft2 ≡ cd/ft2 10.763910417 cd/m2
candela per square inch cd/in2 ≡ cd/in2 1550.0031 cd/m2
candela per square metre (SI unit); nit (deprecated[16]) cd/m2 ≡ cd/m2 = 1 cd/m2
footlambert fL ≡ (1/π) cd/ft2 3.4262590996 cd/m2
lambert L ≡ (104/π) cd/m2 3183.0988618 cd/m2
stilb (CGS unit) sb ≡ 104 cd/m2 = 104 cd/m2

Luminous flux

[edit]
Luminous flux
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
lumen (SI unit) lm The luminous flux of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540×1012 hertz and that has a radiant flux of 1/683 watt.[37] = 1 lm = 1 cd⋅sr

Illuminance

[edit]
Illuminance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
footcandle; lumen per square foot fc ≡ lm/ft2 = 10.763910417 lx
lumen per square inch lm/in2 ≡ lm/in2 1550.0031 lx
lux (SI unit) lx ≡ lm/m2 = 1 lx = 1 lm/m2
phot (CGS unit) ph ≡ lm/cm2 = 104 lx

Radiation

[edit]

Radiation – source activity

[edit]
Radioactivity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
becquerel (SI unit) Bq ≡ Number of disintegrations per second = 1 Bq = 1/s
curie Ci 3.7×1010 Bq[43] = 3.7×1010 Bq
rutherford (H) Rd ≡ 1 MBq = 106 Bq

Although becquerel (Bq) and hertz (Hz) both ultimately refer to the same SI base unit (s−1), Hz is used only for periodic phenomena (i.e. repetitions at regular intervals), and Bq is only used for stochastic processes (i.e. at random intervals) associated with radioactivity.[44]

Radiation – exposure

[edit]
Radiation – exposure
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
roentgen R 1 R ≡ 2.58×10−4 C/kg[35] = 2.58×10−4 C/kg

The roentgen is not an SI unit and the NIST strongly discourages its continued use.[45]

Radiation – absorbed dose

[edit]
Radiation – absorbed dose
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gray (SI unit) Gy ≡ 1 J/kg[46] = 1 Gy = 1 J/kg = 1 m2⋅s2
rad rad ≡ 0.01 Gy[35] = 0.01 Gy

Radiation – equivalent dose

[edit]
Radiation – equivalent dose
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
Röntgen equivalent man rem ≡ 0.01 Sv = 0.01 Sv
sievert (SI unit) Sv ≡ 1 J/kg[44] = 1 Sv = 1 J/kg = 1 m2⋅s2

Although the definitions for sievert (Sv) and gray (Gy) would seem to indicate that they measure the same quantities, this is not the case. The effect of receiving a certain dose of radiation (given as Gy) is variable and depends on many factors, thus a new unit was needed to denote the biological effectiveness of that dose on the body; this is known as the equivalent dose and is shown in Sv. The general relationship between absorbed dose and equivalent dose can be represented as

H = QD

where H is the equivalent dose, D is the absorbed dose, and Q is a dimensionless quality factor. Thus, for any quantity of D measured in Gy, the numerical value for H measured in Sv may be different.[47]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The technical definition of tropical year is the period of time for the ecliptic longitude of the Sun to increase 360 degrees. (Urban & Seidelmann 2013, Glossary, s.v. year, tropical)
[edit]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty."(2010). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology". NIST.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Lide, D. (Ed.). (1990). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (71st ed). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Section 1.
  5. ^ a b National Bureau of Standards. (June 30, 1959). Refinement of values for the yard and the pound. Federal Register, viewed September 20, 2006 at National Geodetic Survey web site.
  6. ^ "International Astronomical Union - IAU". www.iau.org.
  7. ^ Klein, Herbert Arthur. (1988). The Science of Measurement: a Historical Survey. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications 0-4862-5839-4.
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  9. ^ International System of Units, Archived August 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine 8th ed. (2006), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, Section 4.1 Table 8.
  10. ^ Cox, Arthur N., ed. (2000). Allen's Astrophysical Quantities (4th ed.). New York: AIP Press / Springer. Bibcode:2000asqu.book.....C. ISBN 0387987460.
  11. ^ Binney, James; Tremaine, Scott (2008). Galactic Dynamics (2nd ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Bibcode:2008gady.book.....B. ISBN 978-0-691-13026-2.
  12. ^ P. Kenneth Seidelmann, Ed. (1992). Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books. p. 716 and s.v. parsec in Glossary.
  13. ^ a b c Whitelaw, Ian. (2007). A Measure of All Things: The Story of Man and Measurement. New York: Macmillan 0-312-37026-1. p. 152.
  14. ^ a b De Vinne, Theodore Low (1900). The practice of typography: a treatise on the processes of type-making, the point system, the names, sizes, styles and prices of plain printing types 2nd ed. New York: The Century Co. p. 142–150.
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  29. ^ Until 1970 the UK Admiralty (and until 1954 the US) used other definitions of the nautical mile and hence the knot. See also #Length
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  43. ^ Ambler Thompson & Barry N. Taylor. (2008). Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI). Special Publication 811. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology. p. 10.
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