Word Study
joule
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun joule has 2 senses
- joule(n = noun.quantity) j, watt second - a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second; Array is a kind of energy unit, heat unit, work unit
- joule(n = noun.person) james prescott joule - English physicist who established the mechanical theory of heat and discovered the first law of thermodynamics (1818-1889); Array is a kind of physicist
has parts: erg
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]
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
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