Arbeitseinheit

Arbetseinheit is a German term that translates as a unit of work. In physics, work is the energy transferred to or from an object when a force acts along a displacement. The name Arbeitseinheit refers to the unit used to quantify this transfer. The SI unit of work is the joule (J); one joule equals the work done by a force of one newton acting through a displacement of one meter, i.e., 1 J = 1 N·m. Historically, other units have been used, such as the erg in the CGS system (1 erg = 1×10−7 J). On macroscopic scales, kilojoules and kilowatt-hours are common, while on atomic scales energy is often expressed in electronvolts.

Work can be calculated from the force and displacement by the expression W = ∫ F · ds. If the force is constant and parallel to the displacement, W = Fd. The sign of work depends on the relative direction of force and motion: positive work adds energy to the system, while negative work removes energy. The work-energy theorem states that the net work on an object equals the change in its kinetic energy; non-conservative forces can convert work into heat or other forms of energy.

Beyond physics, the phrase Arbeitseinheit can appear in engineering or economic discussions as a generic measure of labor input, though this usage is not standard for physical work. In German-language texts, modern practice typically specifies explicit units such as joules, newton-meters, or watt-hours rather than relying on a generic term.