CGS System
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Definition
A metric unit system based on the centimeter, gram, and second as fundamental units, used in some branches of physics and electromagnetism.
Explanation
The CGS system was the dominant scientific framework from the 1870s until the mid-20th century. It produces units suited to small-scale phenomena: the dyne (force = g·cm/s²), erg (energy = g·cm²/s²), and poise (viscosity). One dyne = 10⁻⁵ newtons; one erg = 10⁻⁷ joules. Electromagnetic CGS has two variants (Gaussian and SI-Gaussian) that differ in how they handle electric and magnetic constants. Modern science now predominantly uses SI.
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