Joule
| Joule | |
|---|---|
Intuitive representation of the joule as the work of a motive force | |
| General information | |
| Unit system | SI |
| Unit of | energy |
| Symbol | J |
| Named after | James Prescott Joule |
| Conversions | |
| 1 J in ... | ... is equal to ... |
| SI base units | kg⋅m2⋅s−2 |
| CGS units | 1×107 erg |
| watt-seconds | 1 W⋅s |
| kilowatt-hours | ≈2.78×10−7 kW⋅h |
| kilocalories (thermochemical) | 2.390×10−4 kcalth |
| BTUs | 9.48×10−4 BTU |
| electronvolts | ≈6.24×1018 eV |
The joule (/dʒuːl/ JOOL, or /dʒaʊl/ JOWL; symbol: J) is the unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). In terms of SI base units, one joule corresponds to one kilogram-metre squared per second squared (1 J = 1 kg⋅m2⋅s−2). One joule is equal to the amount of work done when a force of one newton displaces a body through a distance of one metre in the direction of that force. It is also the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second. It is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule (1818–1889).