work unit

/wərk ˌjunət/

Other forms: work units

Definitions of work unit

1. noun

   a unit of measurement for work
   synonyms: energy unit, heat unit

   types:

   erg

   a cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter

   eV, electron volt

   a unit of energy equal to the work done by an electron accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt

   J, joule, watt second

   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

   calorie, gram calorie, small calorie

   unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure

   Calorie, kilocalorie, kilogram calorie, large calorie, nutritionist's calorie

   a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree at one atmosphere pressure; used by nutritionists to characterize the energy-producing potential in food

   B.Th.U., BTU, British thermal unit

   a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure; equivalent to 251.997 calories

   therm

   a unit of heat equal to 100,000 British thermal units

   watt-hour

   a unit of energy equal to the power of one watt operating for one hour

   B.T.U., Board of Trade unit, kW-hr, kilowatt hour

   a unit of energy equal to the work done by a power of 1000 watts operating for one hour

   foot-pound

   a unit of work equal to a force of one pound moving through a distance of one foot

   foot-ton

   2240 foot-pounds

   foot-poundal

   a unit of work equal to a force of one poundal moving through a distance of one foot

   horsepower-hour

   a unit of work equal to the work done by one horsepower in one hour

   kilogram-meter

   a unit of work equal to the work done by a one kilogram force operating through a distance of one meter

   type of:

   unit, unit of measurement

   any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange