Joule's law

noun

, Physics.

1. the principle that the rate of production of heat by a constant direct current is directly proportional to the resistance of the circuit and to the square of the current.
2. the principle that the internal energy of a given mass of an ideal gas is solely a function of its temperature.

Joule's law

noun

1. physics the principle that the heat produced by an electric current is equal to the product of the resistance of the conductor, the square of the current, and the time for which it flows
2. thermodynamics the principle that at constant temperature the internal energy of an ideal gas is independent of volume. Real gases change their internal energy with volume as a result of intermolecular forces

Word History and Origins

Origin of Joule's law¹

First recorded in 1850–55; named after J. P. Joule

Word History and Origins

Origin of Joule's law¹

C19: named after James Prescott Joule

Example Sentences

He first proved the relation, known as Joule’s law, that the heat produced in a conductor of resistance R by a current C is proportional to C�R per second.

From Project Gutenberg

This relation is often known as Joule's law.

From Project Gutenberg

Mechanical Equivalent of Heat.—The eminent English physicist, James Prescott Joule, worked for more than forty years in establishing the relation between heat and mechanical work; he stated the doctrine of the conservation of energy and90 discovered the law, known as Joule’s law, for determining the relation between the heat, current pressure, and time in an electric circuit.

From Project Gutenberg

By Joule’s law of the mechanical equivalent of heat, whenever heat is imparted to an elastic body, as air or gas, energy is generated and mechanical work produced by the expansion of the air or gas.

From Project Gutenberg

It's Joule's Law for the conversion of electric energy.

From Slate