A Little More What Is Gauss?
What Is Gauss?
Gauss, named after German mathematician Carl Freiderich Gauss, is a unit of measurement used for magnetic fields. One gauss equals one Maxwell per centimeter squared.
Gauss readings alone do not translate to magnetic strength; to determine this accurately you need to consider a magnet's Material Grade; higher grades indicate stronger magnets.
Magnetic Flux Density
Magnetic flux density, commonly denoted by "B", refers to the total number of field lines running through an area. It can be calculated as the result of multiplying magnet's field strength times its permeability constant in terms of material at hand; its measurement unit is Tesla.
Moving charges, such as currents flowing through wires, generate magnetic fields. Their direction is dictated by physical laws of electrodynamics; consequently they always form two poles: north and south ones.
Gauss rating is often used as a way of measuring magnet strength; however, it should be remembered that its purpose is only to indicate its magnetic flux density rate and not total magnet strength. Thus it may be possible for magnets of equal gauss rating but different pull strengths depending on their size - the larger magnet will always be stronger.
Gauss Measurement
Many people erroneously assume the term gauss refers to magnetic field strength; however, that is technically inaccurate as its measurement corresponds with magnetic flux density instead.
Gauss units may be useful in measuring magnetic fields of smaller objects, but cannot be used as an accurate comparison tool between magnets of differing strength. Gauss levels reflect only immediate exposure levels rather than reflecting them over time.
Gauss may not be an official unit in the International System of Units (SI), but it remains widely used for physics, particularly astronomy. Gauss is closely related to another SI unit known as Tesla; one Tesla equals 10000 Gausses.
Gauss Meter
A Gauss Meter or Magnetometer is an electronic device used for measuring electromagnetic fields associated with an alternating current source, as well as their intensity or strength in terms of static permanent magnetic fields. Furthermore, they measure magnetic dipole moments of various materials such as substances and constituents.
Based on the Hall Effect, it works using electricity generated when passing magnetic fields over conducting metals, creating an electrical current which produces an electromagnetic field which attracts or repels ferromagnetic metals.
The Gauss Meter, named for mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, measures the magnetic flux density per square centimeter. A Gauss is equivalent to one Maxwell of magnetic flux density per centimeter squared. Gauss and Tesla, two units for measuring magnetic induction, are directly proportional; however, while gauss uses 3-D units (CGS system), while Tesla utilizes seven-dimensional measurement.
Gauss Strength
Gauss strength of a magnet depends on its shape and size as well as material of construction; strong magnets tend to be higher-gauss than weaker versions.
Medical magnets designed for MRI applications often boast high gauss ratings due to being made of neodymium. However, it's important to keep in mind that gauss ratings only apply at their location and will gradually decrease with distance; hence the regulations for air shipment require a specific gauss level at 15 feet in order to protect cargo contents from magnetic interference.