What Is This Tool?
This unit converter translates power values from erg per second (erg/s), a CGS-based unit commonly used in astrophysics, to picowatt (pW), an SI-derived unit suitable for measuring extremely small power levels.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the power value measured in erg per second (erg/s).
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Select 'erg/second' as the input unit and 'picowatt' as the output unit.
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Initiate the conversion to receive the equivalent value in picowatts.
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Use the results to compare or analyze data using SI units.
Key Features
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Supports conversion between erg per second and picowatt units of power.
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Based on the precise ratio where 1 erg/s equals 100,000 pW.
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Ideal for bridging older astrophysical data with modern low-power measurements.
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Browser-based and easy to use without requiring installation.
Examples
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Convert 2 erg/s to obtain 200,000 pW.
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Convert 0.5 erg/s to receive 50,000 pW.
Common Use Cases
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Expressing luminosities and radiative power of astronomical objects in astrophysics.
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Reporting power in CGS units during theoretical or historical scientific research.
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Measuring very faint signals in quantum detectors, bolometers, and optical sensors.
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Assessing ultra-low power consumption in microelectronics and IoT sensors.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure correct identification of input units to avoid errors in conversion.
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Be aware of the large conversion factor when interpreting results.
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Use this conversion to translate classical data into modern measurement contexts.
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Validate results especially when working with very small or very large numbers.
Limitations
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The difference between CGS and SI units may cause confusion in complex calculations.
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Large conversion factor can lead to high numerical values that require careful scaling.
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Users must manage numerical accuracy when converting very small power levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an erg per second used for?
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An erg per second is primarily used in astrophysics to express luminosities and power in the CGS system, especially in older scientific literature.
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Why convert erg/s to picowatt?
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Converting erg/s to picowatt helps interpret classical power units into SI-derived units used in precise, modern experiments involving very low power levels.
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Are erg/s and picowatt units compatible?
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While they measure the same quantity, erg/s is from the CGS system and picowatt is SI-derived, so care is needed during conversion due to different unit bases.
Key Terminology
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Erg per second [erg/s]
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A CGS unit of power representing one erg of energy transferred each second, where 1 erg equals 1 g·cm²·s⁻².
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Picowatt [pW]
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An SI-derived power unit equal to one trillionth (10^-12) of a watt, used for measuring extremely low power levels.
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Power
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The rate at which energy is transferred or converted from one form to another.