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Joules (J) Unit Definition
The joule is the unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is equal to the amount of work done when a force of 1 newton (N) displaces a mass through a distance of 1 meter (m) in the direction of the force applied. It is also the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere (A) passes through a resistance of one ohm (Ω) for one second (s). It is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule (1818–1889). The joule is represented by the symbol J.
SI Multiples
A table of various energy joule units derived from SI multiples:
Submultiples |
Multiples |
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Scientific Notation |
Value |
Prefix |
Name |
Scientific Notation |
Value |
Prefix |
Name |
10-1 J |
0.1 J |
Deci (d) | Decijoules (dJ) | 101 J |
10 J |
Deca (da) | Decajoules (daJ) |
10-2 J |
0.01 J |
Centi (c) | Centijoules (cJ) | 102 J |
100 J |
Hecto (h) | Hectojoules (hJ) |
10-3 J |
0.001 J |
Milli (m) | Millijoules (mJ) | 103 J |
1000 J |
Kilo (k) | Kilojoules (kJ) |
10-6 J |
0.000001 J |
Micro (µ) | Microjoules (µJ) | 106 J |
1000000 J |
Mega (M) | Megajoules (MJ) |
10-9 J |
0.000000001 J |
Nano (n) | Nanojoules (nJ) | 109 J |
1000000000 J |
Giga (G) | Gigajoules (GJ) |
10-12 J |
0.000000000001 J |
Pico (p) | Picojoules (pJ) | 1012 J |
1000000000000 J |
Tera (T) | Terajoules (TJ) |
10-15 J |
0.000000000000001 J |
Femto (f) | Femtojoules (fJ) | 1015 J |
1000000000000000 J |
Peta (P) | Petajoules (PJ) |
10-18 J |
0.000000000000000001 J |
Atto (a) | Attojoules (aJ) | 1018 J |
1000000000000000000 J |
Exa (E) | Exajoules (EJ) |
10-21 J |
0.000000000000000000001 J |
Zepto (z) | Zeptojoules (zJ) | 1021 J |
1000000000000000000000 J |
Zetta (Z) | Zettajoules (ZJ) |
10-24 J |
0.000000000000000000000001 J |
Yocto (y) | Yoctojoules (yJ) | 1024 J |
1000000000000000000000000 J |
Yotta (Y) | Yottajoules (YJ) |
10-27 J |
0.000000000000000000000000001 J |
Ronto (r) | Rontojoules (rJ) | 1027 J |
1000000000000000000000000000 J |
Ronna (R) | Ronnajoules (RJ) |
10-30 J |
0.000000000000000000000000000001 J |
Quecto (q) | Quectojoules (qJ) | 1030 J |
1000000000000000000000000000000 J |
Quetta (Q) | Quettajoules (QJ) |
Other Energy Unit Definitions
- Attojoules (aJ)
Board of Trade Unit (BOTU)
British Thermal Units (BTU)
Btu Thermochemical (BTU)
Calorie 15°c (cal)
Calories I.T. (cal)
Calories Nutritional (cal)
Calories Thermochemical (cal)
Celsius Heat Unit (chu)
- Centijoules (cJ)
Cheval Vapeur Heure (cvh)
- Decajoules (daJ)
- Decijoules (dJ)
- Dekajoules (daJ)
Dekatherm (dth)
Dekawatt Hour (daW∙h)
Electronvolt (eV)
Ergs (erg)
- Exajoules (EJ)
Exawatt Hours (EW∙h)
- Femtojoules (fJ)
Foot Pound-Force (ft∙lbf)
Foot Poundals (ft∙pdl)
Gallon UK of Automotive Gasoline (gal)
Gallon UK of Aviation Gasoline (gal)
Gallon UK of Diesel Oil (gal)
Gallon UK of Distillate no. 2 Fuel Oil (gal)
Gallon UK of Kerosene (gal)
Gallon UK of Kerosene Type Jet Fuel (gal)
Gallon UK of LPG (gal)
Gallon UK of Naphtha Type Jet Fuel (gal)
Gallon UK of Residual Fuel Oil (gal)
Gallon USA of Automotive Gasoline (gal)
Gallon USA of Aviation Gasoline (gal)
Gallon USA of Diesel Oil (gal)
Gallon USA of Distillate no. 2 Fuel Oil (gal)
Gallon USA of Kerosene (gal)
Gallon USA of Kerosene Type Jet Fuel (gal)
Gallon USA of LPG (gal)
Gallon USA of Naphtha Type Jet Fuel (gal)
Gallon USA of Residual Fuel Oil (gal)
Gigacalories 15°C (Gcal)
Gigacalories I.T. (Gcal)
Gigaelectronvolt (GeV)
- Gigajoules (GJ)
Gigawatt Hour (GW∙h)
Gram Calorie (gcal)
Hartree (Eh)
- Hectojoules (hJ)
Hectowatt Hours (hW∙h)
Horsepower Hour (hp∙h)
Hundred Cubic Foot of Natural Gas (CCF)
Inch Ounce (in∙oz)
Inch Pound (in∙lb)
- Joules (J)
Kilocalories 15°C (kcal)
Kilocalories I.T. (kcal)
Kilocalories Thermochemical (kcal)
Kiloelectronvolt (keV)
Kilogram Calories (kcal)
Kilogram-Force Meter (kgf∙m)
- Kilojoules (kJ)
Kilopond Meters (kp∙m)
Kiloton Explosive (kt)
Kilowatt Hour (kW∙h)
Liter Atmosphere (l∙atm)
Megacalories 15°C (Mcal)
Megacalories I.T. (Mcal)
Megaelectronvolt (MeV)
- Megajoules (MJ)
Megalerg (Merg)
Megaton Explosive (Mt)
Megawatt Hour (MW∙h)
Meter Kilogram-Force (m∙kgf)
- Microjoules (μJ)
- Millijoules (mJ)
Myriawatt Hour (myW∙h)
- Nanojoules (nJ)
Newton Meter (N∙m)
- Petajoules (PJ)
Petawatthours (PW∙h)
Pferdestärkenstunde (hp∙h)
- Picojoules (pJ)
Q Units (q-units)
Quad (quad)
- Quectojoules (qJ)
- Quettajoules (QJ)
- Ronnajoules (RJ)
- Rontojoules (rJ)
Teraelectronvolt (TeV)
- Terajoules (TJ)
Terawatthour (TW∙h)
Therm Europe (thm)
Therm USA (thm)
Thermie (th)
Ton Explosive (t)
Tonne of Coal Equivalent (t)
Tonne of Oil Equivalent (t)
Watthour (W∙h)
Wattsecond (W∙s)
- Yoctojoules (yJ)
- Yottajoules (YJ)
Yottawatthour (YW∙h)
- Zeptojoules (zJ)
- Zettajoules (ZJ)
Zettawatthour (ZW∙h)
Convert to Another Frequency Unit
Related Definitions
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Sources
“Joule.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Sept. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule.