Coulomb: meaning, definitions and examples

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coulomb

 

[ ˈkuːlɒm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

physics unit

The coulomb is the unit of electric charge in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the amount of charge transferred by a steady current of one Ampere in one second. The coulomb is named after French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, who did significant work in electrostatics. In practical terms, one coulomb is roughly equivalent to the charge of 6.242 x 10^18 elementary charges, such as electrons. The study of coulombs is crucial in understanding electric circuits and fields.

Synonyms

charge, electricity unit

Examples of usage

  • A charge of one coulomb flows through the wire.
  • The capacitance of a capacitor is measured in coulombs.
  • The coulomb law explains the force between two charged objects.
  • He measured the electric charge in coulombs.
  • The coulomb is essential in calculating electrical energy.

Translations

Translations of the word "coulomb" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coulomb

🇮🇳 कुलाम्ब

🇩🇪 Coulomb

🇮🇩 coulomb

🇺🇦 кулон

🇵🇱 kulomb

🇯🇵 クーロン

🇫🇷 coulomb

🇪🇸 coulomb

🇹🇷 coulomb

🇰🇷 쿨롱

🇸🇦 كولوم

🇨🇿 coulomb

🇸🇰 coulomb

🇨🇳 库仑

🇸🇮 coulomb

🇮🇸 coulomb

🇰🇿 кулон

🇬🇪 კულონი

🇦🇿 kulon

🇲🇽 coulomb

Word origin

The term 'coulomb' originates from the name of Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, an 18th-century French physicist. His work on electrostatics, particularly the quantification of electric force between charged objects, laid the groundwork for modern electromagnetism. The term was officially adopted in the late 19th century as part of the International System of Units (SI) to standardize measurements in electricity. The unit was formally defined in 1881 at the International Electrical Congress, highlighting the importance of consistent measurement in scientific and engineering applications. The coulomb has become a fundamental aspect of electrical theory and engineering, enabling precise calculations in various technologies.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,682, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.