A magnetic flux is the amount of the magnetic field lines in the given closed area. Magnetic flux density is the amount of change passing through the given area, perpendicular to the magnetic flux’s direction.
Furthermore, the English alphabet B represents magnetic flux density. Tesla and Gauss are two different ways to measure the magnetic flux density.
Key Takeaways
- Tesla is a unit of magnetic field strength, while Gauss is a unit of magnetic flux density.
- Tesla is part of the International System of Units (SI), whereas Gauss is a part of the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system.
- One Tesla is equal to 10,000 Gauss, making the Tesla a larger unit than the Gauss.
Tesla vs Gauss
The difference between Tesla and Gauss is that the Tesla unit is named after Nikola Tesla, while the Gauss unit is named after Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss. Moreover, Tesla is an international unit for measuring magnetic induction strength. On the other hand, Gauss originated from the Centimeter-Gram-Second system of units.
Tesla has been counted under the units since 1960. It is represented by its initial T. Tesla is used to measure the effect of the magnetic flux density at the International level.
So, it is the SI unit of magnetic Induction. The formula of Tesla is one Weber (SI unit of magnetic flux) for every meter square.
Gauss is denoted by its initial G or Gs. It is a smaller measuring unit than the SI unit called Tesla, as it is a CGS unit. The formula of Gauss is One Maxwell for every Centimeter Square.
In terms of Tesla, Gauss is 1/10000 Tesla. An example to understand Gauss is when a magnetic field of an iron bar is 100 Gs. It is also known as 0.1 T after conversion.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Tesla | Gauss |
|---|---|---|
| Named after | The unit Tesla is named after the famous scientist Nikola Tesla. | The unit Gauss is named after the famous scientist Carl Friedrich Gauss. |
| Symbol | The symbol of Tesla is T. | The unit Tesla was created in 1960. |
| Invented in | 1 Gauss= 1/10000 Tesla 1 Gauss= 1 Maxwell/centimetre square | The unit Gauss was invented in 1936. |
| Type of Unit | Tesla is a SI Unit of Magnetic flux density. | Gauss is a CGS unit of Magnetic flux density. |
| Formula | 1 Tesla= 10000 Gauss 1 Tesla= 1 Weber/ meter square | 1 Gauss= 1/10000 Tesla 1 Gauss= 1 Maxwell/ centimeter square |
What is a Tesla?
Tesla is a SI unit of magnetic flux density introduced in 1960. It is named after the well-known scientist Nikola Tesla (Serbian-American who invented the rotational magnetic field).
The idea to use the name Tesla was of Avčin (a French man who invented the magnetic core).
Tesla is a unit that measures the powerful form of the magnetic field because it is an international unit. Since magnetic flux density has both magnitude and direction, it is a vector quantity.
So, it is clear that the value calculated in unit Tesla is represented as the vector quantities.
The symbol used for representing the Tesla unit is T. The magnetic flux density of the Halbach array ( a series of permanent magnets having a powerful magnetic effect at one side and zero effect towards another side) has a nearly magnetic flux of 4.5 T.
In terms of the magnetic flux that has SI unit Weber (W),
The formula of Magnetic flux density= Magnetic flux/ Area
1 T= 1 Weber/meter square.
Another formula of Tesla is,
1 Tesla= 1 Newton (N)/ (Current(A) x Meter(m))
It is a situation when a 1-meter-long electrode conducts one ampere of current and has 1- Newton attraction. It is a formula of Tesla when Magnetic flux density is also 1. To convert Tesla into Gauss.
The relationship is Tesla =10000 Gauss (CGS unit).
What is a Gauss?
Gauss is the centimetre-gram-system (CGS) unit of magnetic field flux. Its initial G or Gs can also refer to it and is a part of the Gaussian series.
This unit is named after well-known personality Carl Friedrich Gauss (a prominent German mathematician responsible for discovering number theory and astronomy).
Unlike Tesla, it was developed to monitor lesser magnetic fields in 1936 since it is a CGS unit.
For example, the human brain induces a smaller magnetic field which is near 1/1000000000 G. Like Tesla; it is also a vector quantity (measures three-dimensional unit system).
Magnetic flux density is computed in Gauss when the area is small and measured in centimetres. Magnetic flux density in Gauss when the magnetic flux is expressed in Weber,
1 Gauss= 0.0001 Weber/ square meter
The relationship between Maxwell (CGS unit of magnetic flux (Φ), which was named after the father of electromagnetism) and Gauss is:
Since 1 Weber (SI unit of Magnetic flux) = 100000000 Maxwell (Mx)
Therefore, 1 Gauss (G)= 1 Maxwell per square centimetre.
The relation between Tesla and Gauss is 1 Gauss = 1/10000 Tesla (T)
Conversions
If the magnetic flux density of the refrigerator magnet is CGS unit is 50 G. To represent into SI unit, T, it will be 500000 Tesla (T).
Main Differences Between Tesla and Gauss
- Tesla is a SI unit of magnetic flux density. On the other hand, Gauss is a CGS unit of magnetic flux density.
- Tesla units are named after scientist Nikola Tesla (who invented the rotational magnetic field). On the contrary, Gauss units are discovered after the name of mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss.
- Tesla units were invented later in 1960 when compared to Gauss units which, were invented in 1936.
- Tesla units are for measuring powerful magnetic fields. However, Gauss units are for measuring weak magnetic fields.
- The English letter T is an abbreviation of unit Tesla. On the contrary, the Gauss unit can be denoted by two symbols (either English letter G or Gs).
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576510001682
- https://www.qscience.com/content/journals/10.5339/gcsp.2014.49
Last Updated : 07 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
