# Is it possible to use Gaussian cgs units in Mathematica computations?

I was trying to do computations in Gaussian cgs units, and of course I failed due to dimensional issues. For instance, $q_1 q_2/r$ cannot be converted to $\mathrm{erg}$ since Gaussian system uses $4\pi \epsilon_0 = 1$.

So, the question is: Is it possible to use Gaussian cgs unit system in Mathematica computations? "Using Gaussian cgs unit system" means, for instance, $V_\mathrm{coulomb}=q_1 q_2/r$; no doubt that the units themselves can be called in whatever suitable situation.

Personally I think the answer is no, because the only unit systems listed in documentation of UnitConvert are "SIBase","SI","Imperial", and "Metric". But I am asking to get confirmation, and hopefully we can settle an answer to benefit future Google searches of this topic.

• Real physicists don't use units. ;-) – Sjoerd C. de Vries Oct 26 '13 at 22:17
• @SjoerdC.deVries Unfortunately I'm not a real physicist yet, so I can't comment on how real physicists work. What I do know is that I'm an undergrad math and physics student, who sometimes need units for numerical results. Even if I keep track of and leave out the units of my own data, the physical constants in Mathematica come with units (I guess real physicists remember the values of constants, but unfortunately I can't just yet). Another reason I found units useful is in detecting typos, as typos typically mess up the dimensions. – 4ae1e1 Oct 27 '13 at 3:42
• @SjoerdC.deVries By the way, I'm not against your comment, since I actually think it's true. – 4ae1e1 Oct 27 '13 at 3:45
• Have you seen this: mathematica.stackexchange.com/questions/15358/… ? I have no experience with Mathematica's unit system and from a didactic point of view I would recommend working out the units and conversion factors yourself. If you want to get an intuition/understanding of unit systems that is the only way to get it; trusting Mathematica's unit "black box" is not. @SjoerdC.deVries short comment goes in that direction; once you understand how units work you can work in whatever system you want. – N0va Oct 13 '16 at 20:48
• @M.J.Steil Actually there were two reasons for that remark. Firstly, if you work in a nice unit system like SI then using units in your calculations are simply not necessary; you always know what you will end up with. Secondly, some theorists set c = 1 (dimensionless) to simplify their equations. – Sjoerd C. de Vries Oct 13 '16 at 20:54