What is the Difference Between Newton and Joule?

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The key difference between a Newton and a Joule is that a Newton is a unit that measures force, while a Joule is a unit that measures energy. Here are some key points to understand the difference between the two:

  • Newton (N): A Newton is an SI unit used to measure force. One Newton is the force needed to accelerate one kilogram of mass in the direction of the applied force at the rate of 1 meter per second squared.
  • Joule (J): A Joule is an SI unit used to measure work or energy. One Joule equals the amount of work that is done when 1 Newton of force moves an object over a distance of 1 meter. In other words, a Joule is the amount of energy transferred when a force of 1 Newton is applied on an object and moves it through a distance of 1 meter.

In summary, Newtons and Joules are both units of measurement in physics, but they measure different quantities: force and energy, respectively.

Comparative Table: Newton vs Joule

Here is a table comparing Newton and Joule:

Aspect Newton (N) Joule (J)
Definition Unit of force in the International System of Units (SI). Named after Sir Isaac Newton. Unit of energy, work, and heat in the SI system. Named after James Prescott Joule.
Basic Formula 1 N = 1 kg â‹… ms^(-2) 1 J = 1 N â‹… m
Representation Represents the force applied to an object. Commonly used for tension, weight, and friction. Represents the amount of energy transferred or work done when a force of one Newton is applied over a distance of one meter.
Application Used to quantify forces in mechanics and dynamics. Used to measure energy in various forms such as mechanical work, electrical energy, and heat.
Example Lifting a book requires applying force in Newtons. If you lift the book one meter, the work done is measured in Joules.
Mathematical Form Force (F) = Mass (m) x Acceleration (a) Work (W) = Force (F) x Distance (d)

The key difference between Newton and Joule is that Newton is a unit that measures force, while Joule is a unit that measures energy. Additionally, Newton is a vector quantity, while Joule is a scalar quantity.