Convert Ergs to Tons of TNT
Convert Ergs (erg) to Tons of TNT (t(TNT)) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
t(TNT) = erg × 2.390057361e-17
About Ergs
An erg is the CGS unit of energy - the work done by one dyne through one centimetre - exactly 10⁻⁷ J. Despite SI adoption, the erg persists in astrophysics: the Sun's luminosity is 3.828 × 10³³ erg/s; gamma-ray burst isotropic energies are quoted in units of 10⁵¹ erg ('one foe'). Surface tension of water is 72.8 dyn/cm; the work to create 1 cm² of new water-air interface is 72.8 erg. Earthquake seismic moment M₀ is in dyn·cm = erg; the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake had M₀ ≈ 10²³ J = 10³⁰ erg. 1 erg = 10⁻⁷ J = 624.15 eV.
About Tons of TNT
A ton of TNT is an energy unit defined as exactly 10⁹ thermochemical calories = 4.184 GJ. The Trinity test (first nuclear weapon, 1945) yielded ~21 kilotons TNT = 87.9 TJ. The Tsar Bomba yielded ~50 megatons TNT = 209 PJ - the largest human-made explosion in history. Hiroshima's Little Boy yielded ~15 kilotons = 62.8 TJ. The Tunguska 1908 airburst released ~10-15 megatons TNT. Earthquake magnitude 6.0 releases ~63 kilotons TNT equivalent in seismic energy. 1 t(TNT) = 4.184 GJ = 4,184 MJ = 1,162.8 kWh.
Quick Reference Table
| Ergs (erg) | Tons of TNT (t(TNT)) |
|---|---|
| 1 erg | 2.39 × 10-17 t(TNT) |
| 2 erg | 4.78 × 10-17 t(TNT) |
| 5 erg | 1.195 × 10-16 t(TNT) |
| 10 erg | 2.39 × 10-16 t(TNT) |
| 25 erg | 5.975 × 10-16 t(TNT) |
| 50 erg | 1.195 × 10-15 t(TNT) |
| 100 erg | 2.39 × 10-15 t(TNT) |