Conversion of Gravimetry units

What is Gravity?

Gravity is the force that causes two objects to be pulled towards each other. It is a natural physical phenomenon that affects the motion of objects, large and small. It is also the force that most people know as it is the force that holds us to the ground and our feet to the ground. Without gravity, we would be floating around in space. Gravity is a universal force, meaning it has the same strength no matter where you are on Earth

History of the Different Units of Gravity

The use of the different units of gravity dates back to ancient times. In Ancient Greece, Aristarchus of Samos used a simple balance to measure the gravitational force of objects on the Earth. The Greeks also developed the concept of “weight”, which is based on the idea of a body’s resistance to being moved by a force. In the 17th century, Isaac Newton developed the concepts of force and acceleration, which laid the foundations for modern descriptions of gravity and its effects. By 1873, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures had developed the Gal (cm/s2) unit for the measurement of gravity. This was followed by the development of the more common meter per second squared (m/s²) unit in 1896.

Examples of Reference Values in the Different Units of Measurement

1. Meter per second squared (m/s2): 9.81 m/s2
2. Foot per second squared (ft/s2): 32.17405 ft/s2
3. Gal (Gal): 0.01g
4. Standard gravity (g): 9.80665 m/s2
5. Newton per kilogram (N/kg): 9.80665N/kg
6. Milligal (mGal): 1mGal
7. Gauss (G): 0.01gauss
8. Millimeter per second squared (mms2): 980.665 mms2
9. Millimeter per second fourth (mms4): 98.065 mms4
10. Meter per second squared-per-second (m/s2/s): 0.0098 m/s2/s

How to Convert the Different Units of Gravity

To determine the value of gravity in one unit compared to another, a formula is used to convert the different units. This formula is typically expressed as G = m/s2 × r2, which stands for the gravitational constant (G), the mass of an object or body (m), and the radius of the sphere of influence (r). When two units are of the same type (i.e. both are m/s2), then the equation simplifies to G = m/s2 × r2 = m/s2. In other words, the value of the two units can be determined by multiplying the mass and the radius of the sphere of influence.

Interesting Facts about the Different Units of Gravity

• The Gal (cm/s2) is the oldest unit of measurement for gravity, and it is still used in aerial surveys and in geopotential measurements of the orbit of satellites and other objects in space.
• The meter per second squared (m/s2) is the most commonly used unit for measuring gravity among general and professionals alike.
• Foot per second squared (ft/s2) is a unit that is mainly used in the United States when measuring gravity.
• Newton per kilogram (N/kg) is used most commonly in Europe and other parts of the world as a unit of gravity.
• Milligal (mGal) is used mainly in the fields of geography and geophysics.
• Gauss (G) is most commonly used in the calculation of magnetic and gravitational fields.
• Millimeter per second squared (mms2) is mainly used in the fields of astronomy and engineering.
• Millimeter per second fourth (mms4) is primarily used in electrical engineering as a unit of measurement for forces.
• The Standard Gravity (g) is a unit of gravity found on most school playgrounds and is typically measured on sidewalks and in basements due to its low cost.
• Meter per second squared-per-second (m/s2/s) is used to measure accelerations due to gravity.