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joules

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

A joule is a unit of energy. It is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule. A joule is the amount of energy needed to lift a 1-kilogram mass 1 meter high.

How can the word be used?

A joule is defined as the energy transferred to or work done by a force of one Newton acting through a distance of one metre.

joules

Different forms of the word

The word "joule" only has one form. It is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule.

Etymology

The word "joule" is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule (1818–1889), who first defined it. Joule conducted a series of experiments in the 1840s to measure the mechanical equivalent of heat. He found that the amount of work required to raise the temperature of a given mass of water by a given amount is equal to the amount of heat that is generated by that work.

The word "joule" comes from the French word "joule", which means "work". It was first used in English in the 1880s.

Question

What is measured in joules?