Gaussyksiköissä

Gaussyksiköissä is a Finnish term that translates to "in Gaussian units". It refers to a system of natural units where the speed of light (c), the permittivity of free space (ε₀), and the permeability of free space (μ₀) are set to one. This system is commonly used in electromagnetism and theoretical physics, particularly in older literature or in contexts where certain theoretical simplifications are beneficial.

The primary advantage of using Gaussian units is the simplification of many electromagnetic equations. For instance, Maxwell's equations take on a more symmetric form, and terms involving c, ε₀, and μ₀ disappear, leading to more compact expressions. This can be particularly useful when deriving fundamental relationships or when dealing with phenomena where relativistic effects are important.

However, the use of Gaussian units also introduces complexities. The electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) have different physical dimensions and units compared to the SI system. This can lead to confusion when comparing results derived in Gaussian units with those from SI units. For example, the force on a charged particle is given by F = q(E + v x B) in SI units, but in Gaussian units, it becomes F = q(E + v x B)/c, where q is the charge in statcoulombs. The relationship between electric displacement D and electric field E, and between magnetic field H and magnetic induction B also differ significantly between the two systems.

Despite these differences, Gaussian units remain a valuable tool in certain areas of physics research and education, especially for theoretical investigations and in fields like plasma physics and solid-state physics where such simplifications are frequently employed.