Final answer:
The statement is true; the joule (J) is indeed the SI unit of energy used to measure the capacity to do work and various forms of energy such as kinetic, thermal, and chemical.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the joule (J) is the SI unit of energy is true. A joule is the amount of kinetic energy of an object with a mass of 2 kilograms moving at a velocity of 1 meter per second. This can be expressed mathematically as 1 J = 1 kg m²/s². Another important comparison is that 4.184 J is equivalent to 1 calorie (cal), which is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C.
In broader terms, energy is the capacity to do work, with joules being a common unit for measuring all types of energy, whether it be thermal, radiant, chemical, or another form. Because of this, the joule is a versatile unit that is central to the understanding of energy in both work and heat contexts. For instance, the kinetic energy (KE) formula, which is KE = (1/2) mv² (where m is mass and v is velocity), also yields answers measured in joules.