Dyne (unit of measure)

Table of electromagnetic unit systems

In physics, a dyne (symbol: dyn) is the unit of force in the Cegesimal System of Units. It is equivalent to 10⁻⁵ N or, which is the same, the force that, applied to a mass of 1 g, gives it an acceleration of 1 cm/s² (centimeter per second squared, or gal). That is:

• 1 dyn = 1 g·cm/s2 = 10⁻⁵kg/s2 = 10⁻⁵N
• 1 N = 1 kg/m/s2 = 10⁵g·cm/s2 = 100 000 dyn

Traditionally, the dyne/centimeter has been used to measure surface tensions.

History

The names dyne and erg were first proposed as units of force and energy in 1861 by the English physicist Joseph David Everett.

The names were used again by the British Association Committee (of which Everett was a member) who proposed them for the Cegesimal System of Units, for use in both electrical and dynamical systems.