What Is This Tool?
This online converter helps you translate power values from kilojoule per hour (kJ/h), a unit measuring energy transfer per hour, to erg per second (erg/s), a CGS unit measuring energy transfer per second. It supports applications in fields ranging from building physics to astrophysics.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the power value in kilojoule per hour (kJ/h) into the input field
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Select kilojoule/hour as the from-unit and erg/second as the to-unit
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent power value in erg/second
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Review the result and use the provided examples to understand the output
Key Features
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Converts power units between kilojoule/hour and erg/second accurately
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Provides a quick, browser-based, and easy-to-use interface
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Includes practical examples for better understanding the conversion
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Supports conversions relevant to building physics, metabolic studies, and astrophysics
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Offers clear definitions and use cases for both units
Examples
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Convert 5 kJ/h to erg/s: 5 × 2,777,777.78 = 13,888,888.89 erg/s
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Convert 0.1 kJ/h to erg/s: 0.1 × 2,777,777.78 = 277,777.78 erg/s
Common Use Cases
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Expressing small heating or cooling rates in building physics, such as heat loss through windows
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Reporting metabolic or exercise energy expenditure expressed as energy per hour
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Laboratory calorimetry and low-rate heat transfer measurements over extended times
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Displaying luminosities and radiative power in astrophysics for stars and black holes
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Using CGS-based power units in theoretical physics and older scientific literature
Tips & Best Practices
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Always confirm the context to choose the appropriate unit for power measurements
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Be aware of large numeric values due to unit scale differences during conversion
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Use erg/second for very small instantaneous power rates and kilojoule/hour for moderate power rates over longer times
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Check conversion results against provided examples for validation
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Apply this tool when referencing data from both modern SI and older CGS scientific sources
Limitations
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Conversion results can involve very large numbers, which may lead to rounding errors
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Kilojoule/hour suits moderate energy rates spread over time, while erg/second fits very small instantaneous rates
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Interpretation of converted values requires understanding the context of use due to scale differences
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does kilojoule per hour measure?
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Kilojoule per hour measures the rate of energy transfer equal to 1,000 joules delivered or consumed every hour, commonly used for small-to-moderate energy rates over hourly timescales.
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When is erg per second used?
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Erg per second is used as a CGS power unit in astrophysics, theoretical physics, and older scientific literature to express very small instantaneous power values.
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Why convert from kJ/h to erg/s?
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Users convert from kilojoule per hour to erg per second to translate power values between SI and CGS units, enabling consistent reporting across different scientific fields and timescales.
Key Terminology
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Kilojoule/hour [kJ/h]
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A power unit equal to 1,000 joules transferred or consumed per hour, mainly for small-to-moderate energy rates over hourly intervals.
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Erg/second [erg/s]
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A CGS-system unit of power equal to one erg of energy transferred each second, equivalent to 1×10⁻⁷ watt in SI units.
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Power
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The rate at which energy is transferred or converted, measured here in units such as kilojoule/hour or erg/second.