statampere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

extremely low
UK/statˈampɛː/US/stætˈæmpɪr/

highly technical, historical/specialist scientific

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “statampere” mean?

The unit of electric current in the cgs-electrostatic (ESU) system of units, equal to approximately 3.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The unit of electric current in the cgs-electrostatic (ESU) system of units, equal to approximately 3.3356 × 10⁻¹⁰ amperes.

A precise but archaic measurement in theoretical electromagnetism and historical physics literature, representing current in terms of fundamental electrostatic principles rather than the modern SI ampere.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No substantive difference in meaning or usage between British and American English. Both use the same technical definition.

Connotations

Purely technical, with connotations of theoretical precision, historical physics, and obsolete measurement systems.

Frequency

Equally and extremely rare in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “statampere” in a Sentence

[number] statampere(s)measured in statamperesa statampere of current

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
ESU systemcgs systemelectrostatic unit
medium
measure currenttheoretical valueunit of
weak
defined asconverted toequivalent to

Examples

Examples of “statampere” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The statampere definition is rooted in Coulomb's law.

American English

  • The statampere unit is part of the cgs system.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Never used.

Academic

Exclusively in historical or highly theoretical physics contexts, often in discussions of unit system conversions or the foundations of electromagnetism.

Everyday

Completely unknown and unused.

Technical

The sole context of use. Appears in specialized physics literature, particularly older works or textbooks explaining multiple unit systems.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “statampere”

Strong

cgs electrostatic unit of current

Neutral

ESU of current

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “statampere”

  • Using it in a modern engineering context.
  • Confusing it with the SI ampere.
  • Misspelling as 'statamp', 'stat-amp', or 'state ampere'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is completely obsolete in practical applications and modern science, having been replaced by the SI ampere (A).

The prefix 'stat-' indicates the unit belongs to the electrostatic (ESU) system within the broader centimetre–gram–second (cgs) system of units.

One statampere is equal to 10 / c amperes, where c is the speed of light in cm/s (≈ 2.9979 × 10¹⁰), giving approximately 3.3356 × 10⁻¹⁰ amperes.

A general English learner would not. It is only relevant for specialists reading historical scientific literature or studying the history and foundations of physical unit systems.

The unit of electric current in the cgs-electrostatic (ESU) system of units, equal to approximately 3.

Statampere is usually highly technical, historical/specialist scientific in register.

Statampere: in British English it is pronounced /statˈampɛː/, and in American English it is pronounced /stætˈæmpɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think 'STATic electricity AMPERE' – it's the ampere for static (electrostatic) systems.

Conceptual Metaphor

A FOSSIL OF MEASUREMENT: A preserved, precise form from an earlier era of science, no longer active in the ecosystem of modern units.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The obsolete cgs unit for electric current is the .
Multiple Choice

In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'statampere'?