joule

2 definitions found

joule - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  joule \joule\ (j[=oo]l), n. [From the distinguished English
     physicist, James Prescott Joule (1818-1889).] (Physics.)
     A unit of work which is equal to 10^7 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. --HCP61
     [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     Joule's equivalent. See under Equivalent, n.
        [1913 Webster]

joule - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  joule
      n 1: 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 [syn: joule, J, watt second]
      2: English physicist who established the mechanical theory of
         heat and discovered the first law of thermodynamics
         (1818-1889) [syn: Joule, James Prescott Joule]