Erg to Megajoule Converter

An erg is a unit of energy in the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system, equal to 10⁻⁷ joules. It represents the work done by a force of one dyne acting through a distance of one centimeter.

The erg was developed as part of the CGS unit system in the late 19th century. It was widely used in physics and engineering before the adoption of SI units, particularly in mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetic calculations where CGS units were preferred.

Ergs are rarely used in modern applications, appearing mainly in historical scientific literature and some specialized physics contexts. They've been largely replaced by joules in all practical applications, though they may still appear in some older scientific references and specialized calculations.

A megajoule (MJ) is a unit of energy equal to one million joules (10⁶ J). It represents moderate to large amounts of energy, commonly used for measuring food energy content, fuel values, and mechanical work in engineering applications.

The megajoule gained prominence with the development of energy-conscious engineering and nutrition science. It became particularly useful for expressing food energy content as an alternative to calories, and for measuring energy in automotive and mechanical engineering applications.

Megajoules are used in nutrition labeling (as an alternative to calories), automotive engineering, mechanical systems, and fuel energy content. They're found on food packaging in many countries, vehicle fuel efficiency ratings, and engineering calculations for mechanical work and heat transfer.