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Surface Charge Density Converter

Surface Charge Density refers to the amount of electric charge present per unit area on the surface of a charged object or a conductor. Surface Charge Density is denoted by the Greek letter sigma (σ) and is measured in units of charge per unit area, such as coulombs per square meter (C/m²) or coulombs per square centimeter (C/cm²).

In electrical engineering, surface charge density can be expressed in different units depending on the system of measurement used. Here are the most commonly encountered units:

  • Coulomb per square meter (C/m²): This is the SI unit of surface charge density and represents the amount of charge in coulombs distributed over one square meter of surface area.
    Conversion Factor: 1 C/m² = 1 C/m² (Base Unit)

  • Coulomb per square centimeter (C/cm²): This unit is commonly used in practical applications, particularly in microelectronics and thin-film technologies. It represents the amount of charge in coulombs distributed over one square centimeter of surface area.
    Conversion Factor: 1 C/cm² = 10,000 C/m²

  • Coulomb per square inch (C/in²): This unit is primarily used in some engineering applications in countries that still use the imperial system. It represents the amount of charge in coulombs distributed over one square inch of surface area.
    Conversion Factor: 1 C/in² = 1,550 C/m²

  • Abcoulomb per square meter (abC/m²): The abcoulomb is a less common unit of charge used in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system.
    Conversion Factor: 1 abC/m² = 10 C/m²

  • Abcoulomb per square centimeter (abC/cm²): This unit is the CGS counterpart of C/cm² and represents the amount of charge in abcoulombs distributed over one square centimeter of surface area.
    Conversion Factor: 1 abC/cm² = 10,000 abC/m² = 100,000 C/m²

  • Abcoulomb per square inch (abC/in²): This unit is the cgs counterpart of C/in² and represents the amount of charge in abcoulombs distributed over one square inch of surface area.
    Conversion Factor: 1 abC/in² = 1,550 abC/m² = 15,500 C/m²

Surface charge density is an essential concept in electrical engineering, providing insights into the distribution of electric charge on conductive surfaces. This converter tool simplifies the process of converting charge density values between different units, eliminating potential errors and streamlining engineering calculations.