Ergs are the smallest units of work, which are used to measure the amount of energy expended in a task. They are derived from the Greek word 'ergon, ' meaning 'work.' Ergs are typically used to measure the amount of energy required to perform a certain task, such as lifting a weight or running a distance. They are also used to measure the amount of energy produced by an engine or other machine. Ergs are often used in scientific research to measure the amount of energy expended during a particular activity.