Convert joule/centigram [J/cg] to gray [Gy] Online | Free radiation-absorbed-dose Converter

Joule per Centigram [J/cg]: A Unit of Energy per Mass

The joule per centigram (J/cg) expresses the amount of energy absorbed or delivered per unit mass, specifically joules of energy per centigram (1 centigram = 0.01 grams). This unit represents energy density on a small mass scale.

To relate it to standard radiation dose units: since 1 gray (Gy) equals 1 joule per kilogram (J/kg), and 1 centigram equals 10⁻⁵ kilograms, then

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  1 J/cg = 1 joule per 0.00001 kg = 100,000 J/kg = 100,000 Gy.

  
  

This means that 1 J/cg corresponds to a very high absorbed radiation dose, much greater than typical doses used in medicine or radiation safety.

J/cg could be useful in very specialized fields where energy deposition is considered over tiny masses, such as microdosimetry, materials science, or radiation effects at microscopic scales.

In general, joule per centigram is a high-precision measure for energy density per small mass, but it’s not commonly used in everyday radiation measurement, where grays or their subunits are preferred.

Gray [Gy]: The Standard Unit of Absorbed Radiation Dose

The gray (Gy) is the International System of Units (SI) measurement for absorbed radiation dose, defined as the absorption of one joule of ionizing radiation energy per kilogram of matter. It quantifies how much energy from radiation is deposited in a given mass, typically biological tissue or materials. The gray is widely used in medicine, radiation protection, and scientific research.

In clinical settings, the gray is essential for measuring and controlling doses in radiation therapy for cancer, where precise amounts of radiation are delivered to destroy tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. For example, a typical therapeutic dose might be in the range of 1–2 Gy per treatment session.

Beyond medicine, the gray is also used in radiation safety to assess exposure levels, in nuclear industry applications, and in research involving radiation effects on materials.

The gray replaced the older unit “rad” (where 1 Gy = 100 rad) and provides a universal, standardized way to quantify radiation energy absorption, allowing for consistency across disciplines and countries. It is fundamental to understanding radiation interactions and their biological or physical consequences.