Joule

From Combat Robot

One joule is the work done, or energy expended, by a force of one newton moving an object one meter along the direction of the force. Thus, the same quantity may be referred to as a newton metre. However, since the newton metre usually refers to torque, which is a quite different measure, the joule is a less ambiguous unit.

As a rough guide, 1 joule is the amount of energy required to lift a one kilogram object up by a height of about 10 centimetres on the surface of the Earth.

One joule is also:

• The work required to move an electric charge of one coulomb through an electrical potential difference of one volt; or one coulomb volt.
• The work done to produce power of one watt continuously for one second; or one watt second.