joule

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

joule, n. [From the distinguished English physicist, James Prescott Joule (1818-1889).].

 A unit of work which is equal to 107 ergs (the unit of work in the C. G. S. system of units), and is equivalent to one watt-second, the energy expended in one second by an electric current of one ampere in a resistance of one ohm; also called the absolute joule. It is abbreviated J or j. The international joule is slightly larger, being 1.000167 times the absolute joule. The absolute joule is approximately equal to 0.737562 foot pounds, 0.239006 gram-calories (small calories), and 3.72506 x 10-7 horsepower-hours, and 0.000948451 B.t.u.  [1913 Webster]

Joule's equivalent. See under Equivalent, n.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

joule, n. the SI unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton when its point of application moves one metre in the direction of action of the force, equivalent to a watt-second.

Usage

Symb.: J.

Etymology

J. P. Joule, Engl. physicist d. 1889