What Is This Tool?
This unit converter allows you to translate power values expressed in erg per second (erg/s), a CGS-system unit commonly used in astrophysics and older scientific literature, into Pferdestärke (PS), a metric horsepower unit used primarily in German-speaking countries for mechanical power ratings.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the power value in erg per second (erg/s) that you want to convert.
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Select the target unit as Pferdestärke (PS) from the options.
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Click the convert button to see the corresponding power value in PS.
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Interpret the result considering that erg/s values produce very small fractions in PS.
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Use the output for automotive specs, historical engine ratings, or astrophysical comparisons.
Key Features
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Converts small CGS power units (erg/s) to metric horsepower units (PS).
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Based on precise conversion rates bridging CGS and metric systems.
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Useful for translating astrophysical power measurements into practical vehicle and machinery power ratings.
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Browser-based and easy to access without installation.
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Supports unit conversions relevant to scientific research and regional automotive specifications.
Examples
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1,000,000 erg/s converts to 0.00013596 PS.
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10,000,000 erg/s converts to 0.00135962 PS.
Common Use Cases
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Expressing luminosity and radiative power in astrophysics research using erg/s values.
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Translating theoretical CGS unit power values into commonly understood mechanical power units in German automotive contexts.
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Presenting engine power in car and motorcycle specifications within German-speaking markets.
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Providing power ratings in vehicle manuals, brochures, and resale listings using PS units.
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Describing output of older industrial machinery when regional or historical units apply.
Tips & Best Practices
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Remember that erg/s is a very small power unit, so converted values in PS will be fractional and often very small.
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Consider regional preferences when using PS units, as it is mainly common in some European countries.
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Check if PS is appropriate for your audience, especially if SI units are preferred in scientific contexts.
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Use this conversion for bridging older scientific data with modern mechanical power ratings.
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Be mindful that PS is not an SI unit and is mostly of historical or regional relevance.
Limitations
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Due to the tiny magnitude of erg/s, the conversion leads to very small fractional PS values, which may be impractical for everyday power ratings.
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Pferdestärke (PS) is not an SI unit and is mostly used regionally, limiting its universal applicability.
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Precision issues might arise when converting typical engine powers given the large difference in scale between erg/s and PS.
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Conversions should take into account regional unit preferences where PS is accepted or standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an erg per second (erg/s)?
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An erg per second is a CGS unit of power representing one erg of energy transferred each second, equivalent to 1×10⁻⁷ watts in SI units.
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Where is Pferdestärke (PS) typically used?
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PS is a metric horsepower unit primarily used in German-speaking countries for describing mechanical power like engine outputs.
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Why are erg/s values so small when converted to PS?
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Because erg/s is a very small unit of power, converting it to PS results in extremely small fractional values, limiting its practicality in everyday mechanical power contexts.
Key Terminology
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Erg per second (erg/s)
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A power unit in the CGS system equal to one erg of energy transferred per second; 1 erg/s equals 1×10⁻⁷ watt.
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Pferdestärke (PS)
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A metric horsepower unit meaning 'horse strength', used in German-speaking regions to express mechanical power; defined as 75 kilogram-force metre per second, equal to 735.49875 watts.
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CGS system
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A system of units based on centimeters, grams, and seconds, often used in scientific contexts before SI units became standard.