erg | |
---|---|
Unit system | CGS units |
Unit of | energy |
Symbol | erg |
Derivation | 1 erg = 1 dyn⋅cm |
Conversions | |
1 erg in ... | ... is equal to ... |
CGS base units | 1 cm2⋅g⋅s−2 |
SI units | 10−7 J |
British Gravitational System | 7.375621×10−8 ft⋅lbf |
The erg is a unit of energy equal to 10−7 joules (100 nJ). It is not an SI unit, instead originating from the centimetre–gram–second system of units (CGS). Its name is derived from ergon (ἔργον), a Greek word meaning 'work' or 'task'.[1]
An erg is the amount of work done by a force of one dyne exerted for a distance of one centimetre. In the CGS base units, it is equal to one gram centimetre-squared per second-squared (g⋅cm2/s2). It is thus equal to 10−7 joules or 100 nanojoules (nJ) in SI units.