What unit is used to measure mechanical work?

Mechanical work is defined as the process of exerting a force over a distance. The standard unit of measurement for work in the International System of Units (SI) is the joule (J). One joule is equivalent to the amount of work done when a force of one newton moves an object one meter in the direction of the force. This fundamental relationship in physics links force, distance, and the concept of work, indicating that the joule effectively captures the essence of mechanical work.

The other units mentioned do not relate directly to work. Kilograms, for instance, measure mass, which is different from the measurement of work itself. Pascals are units of pressure, representing force applied over an area, but do not directly indicate work done. Watts measure power, which is the rate at which work is done over time, but they do not measure work itself. Hence, joules are the appropriate unit for measuring mechanical work.