The SI units for conductivity are siemens per meter (S/m). A siemen is the reciprocal of an ohm, sometimes referred as a “mho.” Conductivity is a function of the inverse of the unit for resistance because conductivity is defined as the reciprocal of resistivity. Conductivity is the measure of the quality of a substance to conduct electricity. It is a general term, measuring the quality of a substance, as opposed to a specific conductor’s ability to conduct. Sometimes, conductivity is written micro-siemens per centimeter. However, you may need it in SI units to use a table or calculator in S/m.
Acquire the conductivity measurement in micro-siemens per centimeter, presumably by measurement with lab equipment.
Multiply the number by 100 to convert it to micro-siemens per meter.
Divide the result of Step 2 by 1,000,000 to convert it to siemens per meter.
In total, the net calculation is to divide the number of micro-siemens per centimeter by 10,000. To find micro-siemens per centimeter from siemens per meter, multiply by 10,000 instead of dividing.
References
- "Fundamentals of Physics;" David Halliday and Robert Resnick; 1991.
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