Convert Joules to Petajoules
Convert Joules (J) to Petajoules (PJ) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
PJ = J × 1.000000000e-15
About Joules
The joule (J) is the SI unit of energy, defined as one newton acting through one metre (1 J = 1 N·m = 1 kg·m²/s²). Named after James Prescott Joule, whose 1840s paddle-wheel experiments established the mechanical equivalent of heat (~4.15 J = 1 calorie). One joule is modest: it lifts a 100 g apple by 1 m, heats 0.239 mL of water by 1°C, or powers a 1 W LED for 1 second. Daily adult resting metabolism is ~6-9 MJ. 1 J = 1 W·s = 0.23901 cal = 9.4782 × 10⁻⁴ BTU = 2.7778 × 10⁻⁷ kWh.
About Petajoules
A petajoule (PJ) is 10¹⁵ J - the national energy policy scale. IEA reports primary energy in PJ/year: Sweden ~600 PJ; Germany ~12,500 PJ; the United States ~93,000 PJ. World total primary energy supply is ~605,000 PJ = 605 EJ. The 1883 Krakatoa eruption released ~200 PJ ≈ 48 megatons TNT. A 1-megaton nuclear weapon releases 4.184 PJ. Global annual steel production embeds ~38,000-47,000 PJ of energy. 1 PJ = 10¹⁵ J = 277.78 GWh = 238.85 ktoe = 23.88 ktoe.
Quick Reference Table
| Joules (J) | Petajoules (PJ) |
|---|---|
| 1 J | 1 × 10-15 PJ |
| 2 J | 2 × 10-15 PJ |
| 5 J | 5 × 10-15 PJ |
| 10 J | 1 × 10-14 PJ |
| 25 J | 2.5 × 10-14 PJ |
| 50 J | 5 × 10-14 PJ |
| 100 J | 1 × 10-13 PJ |