The usual Lorentz force expression I am familiar with is this:
$$\vec F=q(\vec E+\vec v \times \vec B)$$
I have seen some other versions lately that include an extra factor $1/c$:
$$\vec F=q\left(\vec E+ \frac{1}{c} \vec v \times \vec B\right)$$
What is this $c$ and how is it included? I guess other parameters in the expression are also different from the top expression for this to fit?
Example of a text snippet where I have run across this extra parameter:
In the second formula, $c$ is the speed of light.
Both formulas use different system of units. The first one uses the SI: $q$ in coulombs, $\vec{E}$ in volts per meter and $\vec{B}$ in teslas. The second one uses gaussian units: $q$ in statcoulombs, $\vec{E}$ in statvolts per centimeter and $\vec{B}$ in gauss (being statvolts per centimeter and gauss dimensionally equivalent).
When dealing with electromagnetism, it is common to encounter various systems of units (SI, gaussian, Heaviside...), in wich equations differ in factors of $c$, $4\pi \mu_0$, etc. It's always convenient to make clear what system of units are you using.
it depends in the system (sI or CGS or...) that you work in. nothing special about it. and some times you get c=1 or h=1 )planck's constant just to have simpler forms which does not effect your wanted result.
