Lorentz–Heaviside units

The Heaviside - Lorentz system of units ( HLE ) is a physical unit system, which is related to the Gaussian system of units, and is so far a special CGS system dar. It is named after Oliver Heaviside and Hendrik Antoon Lorentz.

One advantage of the Heaviside - Lorentz system of units is the most extensive simplification of the Maxwell equations. To enter in the Gaussian system of units in some formulas factors of 4π, which disappear in the Heaviside - Lorentz system of units or take the value 1. In turn arise in the HLE other equations that contain 4π factors. For example, in HLE the Coulomb force of the form ( with ). Here, the size can be interpreted as the electric flux per spherical surface, so the electric flux density. This corresponds to the field strength generated by the place of so.

In theoretical physics, especially in high energy physics, the Heaviside - Lorentz system of units is used to make derivations and the structure of formulas clearer. For comparison then can be converted into the Gaussian system of units or in the MKS system.