(
Meter-
Kilogram-
Second system) A metric system of measurement that uses the meter, kilogram, gram and second for length, mass and time. The units of force and energy are the "newton" and "joule."
Newtons and Joules
A newton is the force required to accelerate one kilogram by one meter per second squared.
Pronounced "jewel," a joule is equal to 10 million ergs in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system. Surge protectors are often given joule ratings, but this refers only to the amount of energy they can absorb, not how much gets through. See
SI. Contrast with
CGS system.