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Convert Watts per Square Meter to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter

Instantly convert Watts per Square Meter (W/m²) to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter (cal/(s·cm²)) with our free online calculator.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedUpdated

Formula: W/m² to cal/(s·cm²)multiply by 2.3901e-5

Reference Table

Watts per Square Meter (W/m²)Calories per Second-Square Centimeter (cal/(s·cm²))
10.0000239006
50.000119503
100.000239006
250.000597514
500.00119503
1000.00239006

How to Convert Watts per Square Meter to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter

Formula

To convert Watts per Square Meter (W/m²) to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter (cal/(s·cm²)): multiply by 2.3901e-5

Step-by-Step

  1. Start with your value in Watts per Square Meter (W/m²).
  2. Multiply by 2.3901e-5 to perform the conversion.
  3. The result is your value expressed in Calories per Second-Square Centimeter (cal/(s·cm²)).

Conversion Factor

1 W/m² = 0.0000239006 cal/(s·cm²)

Reverse Factor

1 cal/(s·cm²) = 41840 W/m²

Worked Example

Convert 25 Watts per Square Meter to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter: 25 W/m² = 0.000597514 cal/(s·cm²)

About Watt per Square Meter (W/m²)

The SI unit of heat flux density (ISO 80000-5 §5-10) — the rate of heat-energy flow per unit area perpendicular to the flow direction. W/m² is the universal working unit in heat-transfer analysis (Fourier conduction q = −k·∇T, Newton's law of cooling q = h·ΔT, Stefan-Boltzmann radiation q = ε·σ·T⁴), solar-energy and atmospheric science, building-envelope thermal modeling, electronics cooling, and radiation intensity. Reference values: the solar constant at Earth's top of atmosphere is exactly 1,361 W/m² (the standard reference value defined by IAU 2015 Resolution B3 / SORCE TIM instrument data); a clear-sky noon at sea level ~1,000 W/m² (the standard test condition for photovoltaic module rating per IEC 61215); average daily Earth-surface insolation 150-250 W/m² (region-dependent); human body emits ~75-100 W/m² as black-body IR radiation at skin temperature; CMB cosmic microwave background ~3.13 × 10⁻⁶ W/m² at 2.725 K. Building-envelope U-factors (W/(m²·K)) multiplied by ΔT yield heat flux in W/m². Also the SI unit for irradiance, sound intensity (in acoustics), and Poynting-vector electromagnetic flux.

About Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter (cal/(s·cm²))

A CGS heat-flux unit equal to exactly 41,840 W/m² = 41.84 kW/m². Traditionally used in atmospheric physics, geophysics, and solar-radiation research, where the closely-related unit 'langley per minute' (1 langley = 1 cal/cm², so 1 ly/min = 1 cal/(min·cm²) = 696.7 W/m²) appears in historical solar-radiation observations published by US Weather Bureau, NOAA Surface Radiation Budget Network (SURFRAD), and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's pre-satellite solar-constant measurements. Used heavily in pre-1990s solar-energy literature, atmospheric-science textbooks (Iqbal 'An Introduction to Solar Radiation'), and geophysical heat-flow measurements at hydrothermal-vent fields. Reference values: peak summer-noon insolation in cal/(s·cm²) ≈ 0.024 (= ~1,000 W/m²); average global insolation ~0.006 cal/(s·cm²). Today mostly superseded by W/m² in publications and instrumentation, retained only for historical-record continuity.

Quick Facts

  • 1 Watt per Square Meter equals 0.0000239006 Calories per Second-Square Centimeter
  • 1 Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter equals 41840 Watts per Square Meter
  • Watt per Square Meter is a unit of heat flux
  • Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter is a unit of heat flux
  • This conversion is commonly used in fire protection engineering, electronics cooling, and solar energy
  • The Watt per Square Meter belongs to the metric system

Common Watt per Square Meter to Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter Conversions

Watts per Square Meter (W/m²)Calories per Second-Square Centimeter (cal/(s·cm²))
0.012.390057e-7
0.10.00000239006
0.250.00000597514
0.50.0000119503
10.0000239006
20.0000478011
30.0000717017
50.000119503
100.000239006
150.000358509
200.000478011
250.000597514
500.00119503
750.00179254
1000.00239006
2500.00597514
5000.0119503
10000.0239006
50000.119503
100000.239006

Understanding Watts per Square Meter

The Watt per Square Meter (symbol: W/m²) is a unit of heat flux. The SI unit of heat flux density (ISO 80000-5 §5-10) — the rate of heat-energy flow per unit area perpendicular to the flow direction. W/m² is the universal working unit in heat-transfer analysis (Fourier conduction q = −k·∇T, Newton's law of cooling q = h·ΔT, Stefan-Boltzmann radiation q = ε·σ·T⁴), solar-energy and atmospheric science, building-envelope thermal modeling, electronics cooling, and radiation intensity. Reference values: the solar constant at Earth's top of atmosphere is exactly 1,361 W/m² (the standard reference value defined by IAU 2015 Resolution B3 / SORCE TIM instrument data); a clear-sky noon at sea level ~1,000 W/m² (the standard test condition for photovoltaic module rating per IEC 61215); average daily Earth-surface insolation 150-250 W/m² (region-dependent); human body emits ~75-100 W/m² as black-body IR radiation at skin temperature; CMB cosmic microwave background ~3.13 × 10⁻⁶ W/m² at 2.725 K. Building-envelope U-factors (W/(m²·K)) multiplied by ΔT yield heat flux in W/m². Also the SI unit for irradiance, sound intensity (in acoustics), and Poynting-vector electromagnetic flux.

It belongs to the metric measurement system.

Watts per Square Meter are commonly used in fire protection engineering, electronics cooling, and solar energy.

Understanding Calories per Second-Square Centimeter

The Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter (symbol: cal/(s·cm²)) is a unit of heat flux. A CGS heat-flux unit equal to exactly 41,840 W/m² = 41.84 kW/m². Traditionally used in atmospheric physics, geophysics, and solar-radiation research, where the closely-related unit 'langley per minute' (1 langley = 1 cal/cm², so 1 ly/min = 1 cal/(min·cm²) = 696.7 W/m²) appears in historical solar-radiation observations published by US Weather Bureau, NOAA Surface Radiation Budget Network (SURFRAD), and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's pre-satellite solar-constant measurements. Used heavily in pre-1990s solar-energy literature, atmospheric-science textbooks (Iqbal 'An Introduction to Solar Radiation'), and geophysical heat-flow measurements at hydrothermal-vent fields. Reference values: peak summer-noon insolation in cal/(s·cm²) ≈ 0.024 (= ~1,000 W/m²); average global insolation ~0.006 cal/(s·cm²). Today mostly superseded by W/m² in publications and instrumentation, retained only for historical-record continuity.

It belongs to the metric measurement system.

Calories per Second-Square Centimeter are commonly used in fire protection engineering, electronics cooling, and solar energy.

Why Convert Watts per Square Meter to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter?

Converting between Watts per Square Meter and Calories per Second-Square Centimeter is a frequent requirement for engineers, scientists, and students working with heat flux values. Different industries and regions favour different unit systems, so having a dependable conversion tool saves time and prevents errors in technical calculations. Whether you are verifying a specification sheet, cross-checking simulation results, or preparing a report for an international audience, accurate heat flux conversion is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert Watts per Square Meter to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter?

The SI unit of heat flux density (ISO 80000-5 §5-10) — the rate of heat-energy flow per unit area perpendicular to the flow direction. To convert Watts per Square Meter to Calories per Second-Square Centimeter, multiply by 2.3901e-5. For example, 25 W/m² equals 0.000597514 cal/(s·cm²).

How many Calories per Second-Square Centimeter are in 1 Watt per Square Meter?

There are 0.0000239006 Calories per Second-Square Centimeter in 1 Watt per Square Meter.

How many Watts per Square Meter are in 1 Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter?

There are 41840 Watts per Square Meter in 1 Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter.

What is the formula for Watt per Square Meter to Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter conversion?

The formula is: multiply by 2.3901e-5. This means 1 W/m² = 0.0000239006 cal/(s·cm²).

Is a Watt per Square Meter bigger than a Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter?

Yes. One Watt per Square Meter is larger than one Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter because 1 W/m² equals 0.0000239006 cal/(s·cm²), which is less than 1.

When do you need to convert between Watts per Square Meter and Calories per Second-Square Centimeter?

A CGS heat-flux unit equal to exactly 41,840 W/m² = 41. Watt per Square Meter and Calorie per Second-Square Centimeter are both heat flux units, so conversion comes up whenever one source of information uses one unit and another uses the other — a classic cross-reference challenge in engineering, trade, travel, and everyday life.

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