Joule to Terajoule Converter

A joule (J) is the SI base unit of energy, defined as the energy expended when applying a force of one newton through a distance of one meter. It represents the fundamental measure of energy, work, and heat in the International System of Units.

The joule was named after English physicist James Prescott Joule in 1889, who studied the relationship between heat and mechanical work. It was adopted as the SI unit of energy in 1960, replacing various other energy units and providing a unified measure for all forms of energy.

Joules are universally used in scientific calculations, physics education, engineering applications, and energy measurements. They're fundamental to all energy calculations in science and engineering, from atomic-scale processes to mechanical systems, and are the basis for all other energy units.

A terajoule (TJ) is a unit of energy equal to one trillion joules (10¹² J). It represents enormous amounts of energy, typically used for measuring energy consumption of large cities, industrial processes, or natural phenomena.

The terajoule emerged as energy consumption and production reached massive scales in the 20th century. It became necessary for describing energy in large power plants, national energy statistics, and major industrial processes where smaller units would result in unwieldy numbers.

Terajoules are used for measuring energy consumption of large cities, output of major power plants, industrial energy usage, and in energy policy and planning. They're standard in national energy statistics, large-scale renewable energy projects, and major industrial facility energy audits.