Definition

1. Noun:
   • A unit of electricity based on electrostatic forces: Any of various units used to measure electrical quantities, where the definitions are derived from the forces of interaction between static electric charges, rather than from magnetic effects or electric currents.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The statcoulomb is an electrostatic unit of electric charge.
  • In the CGS-ESU system, length, mass, and time are the base units, and the electrostatic unit of charge is derived from them.

Advanced Usage

• "CGS electrostatic system of units (ESU)": A complete system of measurement where the electrostatic unit of charge (the statcoulomb or franklin) is a fundamental derived unit. The permeability of free space is set to a dimensionless constant.
  • The electrostatic unit system simplifies equations in electrostatics by setting the Coulomb constant to 1.

Variants and Related Words

• ESU: A common abbreviation for "electrostatic unit" or the "electrostatic system of units."
• Stat- (prefix): A prefix denoting units in the ESU system (e.g., statvolt, statampere, statcoulomb).
• Franklin (Fr): Another name for the electrostatic unit of charge (statcoulomb).

Synonyms

• CGS electrostatic unit: More precise term specifying the Centimeter-Gram-Second system basis.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Electromagnetic unit (EMU): A contrasting unit based on magnetic forces, often mentioned alongside electrostatic units.
  • The ratio between electrostatic and electromagnetic units has the dimensions of velocity and is related to the speed of light.
• Gaussian units: A hybrid system that uses electrostatic units for electrical quantities and electromagnetic units for magnetic quantities.

Noun

1. any of various units of electricity based on forces of interaction between electric charges