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Poise Conversion Table
This comprehensive poise conversion table shows how various units relate to poise, the CGS unit for dynamic viscosity. Use this reference for quick conversions between poise and other common viscosity units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Poise to pascal-seconds | Pascal-seconds | 0.1 |
| Poise to centipoise | Centipoise | 100 |
| Poise to stokes | Stokes | Depends on density |
| Poise to centistokes | Centistokes | Depends on density |
This poise conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both dynamic and kinematic viscosity units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and engineering applications.
What is a Poise?
The poise (symbol: P) is a unit of dynamic viscosity in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system of units. It is defined as one dyne-second per square centimeter (1 dyn·s/cm²). The poise is named after Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille, a French physician and physiologist who studied fluid flow. Our poise conversion tool helps you easily convert between poise and other units. For example, 1 poise equals 0.1 pascal-seconds or 100 centipoise.
What is the SI of Poise?
The poise is not an SI unit, but it is related to the SI unit for dynamic viscosity, which is the pascal-second (Pa·s). The relationship is:
- 1 poise (P) = 0.1 pascal-second (Pa·s)
- 1 pascal-second (Pa·s) = 10 poise (P)
- 1 poise (P) = 100 centipoise (cP)
- 1 centipoise (cP) = 0.01 poise (P)
What are Poise Units Used For?
Poise units are used in a wide range of applications across science, engineering, and industry to measure the viscosity of fluids. While not an SI unit, poise remains widely used in certain fields. Our poise conversion tool helps with converting between different viscosity units:
Chemical Engineering
Measuring viscosity of polymers, oils, and other fluids during processing. For example, motor oil viscosity is often specified in centipoise (cP), which is 0.01 poise.
Food Industry
Determining the consistency of products like sauces, syrups, and creams. For example, the viscosity of honey is approximately 10,000 centipoise (100 poise) at room temperature.
Pharmaceuticals
Quality control of liquid medications and formulations. For example, measuring the viscosity of syrups to ensure proper dosing and patient compliance.
Geology
Studying the flow properties of magma, lava, and other geological fluids. For example, basaltic lava has a viscosity of about 100 poise, while rhyolitic lava can be up to 1,000,000 poise.
Etymology and History
The unit "poise" is named after Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille (1797-1869), a French physicist who conducted pioneering work on fluid flow through pipes. His research led to the development of Poiseuille's law, which describes the flow of viscous liquids through cylindrical tubes. The poise was officially adopted as a unit of dynamic viscosity in the CGS system in the late 19th century. Although the SI system now uses pascal-seconds for viscosity, the poise remains commonly used in many practical applications and is supported by our viscosity conversion tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the poise used instead of SI units?
The poise is part of the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system, which was widely used before the adoption of the SI system. While the SI unit for viscosity is the pascal-second (1 Pa·s = 10 P), the poise and its subunit centipoise remain popular in industry and research due to their convenient scale for many common fluids. Our viscosity conversion tool makes it easy to switch between these units.
How accurate is the poise definition?
The poise is precisely defined as 1 dyne-second per square centimeter (1 dyn·s/cm²). Since the dyne and centimeter are well-defined CGS units, the poise has a fixed relationship to SI units (1 P = 0.1 Pa·s). This makes conversions between poise and SI units highly accurate when using our poise conversion calculator.
What's the difference between poise and stokes?
Poise measures dynamic viscosity (resistance to flow under force), while stokes measures kinematic viscosity (ratio of dynamic viscosity to density). The relationship is: kinematic viscosity (St) = dynamic viscosity (P) / density (g/cm³). For water with density ≈ 1 g/cm³, 1 poise ≈ 1 stoke. Our converter handles both types of viscosity units.
How do I convert poise to other units?
Use our poise conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert poise to pascal-seconds, multiply by 0.1; to convert poise to centipoise, multiply by 100. For detailed instructions on converting poise to pascal-seconds, visit our P to Pa·s converter.
What are common values for fluid viscosity in poise?
Water at 20°C has a viscosity of about 0.01 poise (1 centipoise). Motor oils range from 0.1 to 1 poise depending on grade. Honey has a viscosity of approximately 100 poise. Molasses is around 5000 poise, while glass at high temperatures can be about 10^12 poise. Our viscosity converter helps with these calculations.
How does poise conversion differ from other viscosity units?
The poise is part of the CGS system, while pascal-seconds are SI units. The conversion factor is straightforward: 1 poise = 0.1 pascal-second. Centipoise is 1/100th of a poise, making it convenient for many practical applications. Our viscosity conversion tools handle all these relationships with high precision.
Can I convert very small or very large viscosity measurements in poise?
Yes, our poise converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For low-viscosity gases, values might be in millipoise (0.001 P). For high-viscosity materials like pitch, values can reach millions of poise. Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your poise conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our poise conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning about fluid mechanics to professionals working on complex engineering projects.