Units of energy

Units of Energy are standardized measures used to quantify the amount of energy in a physical system. Energy can be defined as the capacity to do work or to cause change. The units of energy are diverse and can be classified based on the system of measurement, such as the SI system, the Imperial system, and others.

SI Units of Energy

The standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI) is the joule (J). It is defined as the energy transferred when a force of one newton moves an object over a distance of one metre. Other SI units of energy include the watt-hour (Wh), kilowatt-hour (kWh), and megajoule (MJ).

Non-SI Units of Energy

Non-SI units of energy are also commonly used in various fields. These include the calorie (cal), which is often used in nutrition, and the British thermal unit (BTU), which is commonly used in heating and cooling industries. The electronvolt (eV) is used in atomic and nuclear physics.

Energy Equivalents

Energy can also be expressed in terms of equivalents. For example, one joule is equivalent to approximately 0.239 calories, or 9.48 x 10^-4 BTUs. Similarly, one calorie is equivalent to approximately 4.184 joules, or 3.97 x 10^-3 BTUs.

Energy Conversion

Energy conversion involves changing one form of energy into another. For example, a power plant converts chemical energy in fuel into electrical energy. The efficiency of these conversions can vary, and is often expressed as a percentage of the total energy input.

See Also

• Energy
• Work (physics)
• Power (physics)
• Energy conversion
• Energy conservation
• Energy efficiency