In the c.g.s. system, the unit of work was the erg. However, with the adoption of the International System of Units (SI), the unit of work was replaced by the Joule. The erg is a small unit of energy equal to 10^-7 Joules, named after the Greek word for work. The Joule, on the other hand, is a larger unit of energy used in the SI system, named after the British physicist James Joule. One Joule is equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting over a distance of one meter. This unit is commonly used to measure work, energy, and heat in various fields of science and engineering. The transition from the c.g.s. system to the SI system was made to standardize units of measurement across different scientific disciplines and countries. This has helped to improve communication and consistency in scientific research and technological advancements. To learn more about the history of units of work and energy, you can visit the website of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at www.nist.gov. NIST provides valuable information on the SI system and its impact on modern science and technology. In conclusion, the unit of work in the c.g.s. system, the erg, was replaced by the Joule in the SI system to promote standardization and consistency in scientific measurements. The Joule has become the internationally recognized unit of energy, widely used in various fields of science and engineering. This transition has helped to streamline scientific research and technological advancements, making it easier for researchers and engineers to collaborate and share information across borders.

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