erg/second [erg/s] Unit Converter

Definition of erg/second [erg/s] unit

The erg per second (erg/s) is a CGS unit of power, representing the rate of energy transfer or work equal to one erg each second. It equals 10−7 watts, or 0.1 microwatt.

History of erg/second [erg/s] unit

The erg originated in the centimetre–gram–second (CGS) system, developed in the nineteenth century for expressing physical quantities through centimetres, grams, and seconds. The name derives from the Greek ergon, meaning “work.” Within CGS mechanics, one erg was defined as the work done by a force of one dyne acting through one centimetre. Dividing this energy unit by the second produced erg per second as the corresponding power unit. Although SI later replaced CGS in most contexts, erg/s remains useful in astronomy and legacy scientific literature.

Applications of erg/second [erg/s] unit

The unit appears mainly in astrophysics and historical or specialized CGS-based calculations. It can describe the luminosity of faint astronomical sources, energy-release rates, or power outputs in older papers. For example, stellar and solar luminosities may be reported in ergs per second, although modern publications generally convert these values to watts for international comparability and consistency.

Complete list of erg/second [erg/s] unit conversion