electronvolt – what is electronvolt(eV) and how is eV related to Joule?
Last updated on April 12th, 2021 at 12:25 pm
The SI unit of energy joule is too large a unit of energy for the microscopic world. A more convenient unit of energy for the microscopic world is the electronvolt, eV. eV by the way is not part of the SI system.
What is electronvolt? | Define electronvolt
We define the electronvolt as the work done when a charge equal to one electron charge is taken across a potential difference of one volt.
When a charge equal to two electron charges is taken across a potential difference of 1 V, the work done is 2 eV; moving a charge equal to seven electron charges across a potential difference of 5 V results in work of 35 eV, and so on.
How to convert electronvolt to joule? | How electronvolt is related to Joule
Electronvolt is a convenient unit of energy and not an SI unit. The SI unit of energy is Joule. Hence, it’s a common interest to know the relationship between electronvolt and Joule.
To convert eV to Joule, we will use this formula: W = qV
An electronvolt is the work done to take a charge equal to one electron across a potential difference of one volt, so we will put the values of q and V accordingly in the equation.
1 eV = 1.6 × 10−19 C × 1 V = 1.6 × 10−19 J
So the relationship between electronvolt(eV) and Joule can be expressed by the equation: 1 eV = 1.6 × 10−19 J
Joule to electronvolt (eV) conversion
We know that 1 eV = 1.6 × 10−19 J. From this equation we get Joule to electronvolt (eV) conversion easily as shown below:
1 J = 1/(1.6 × 10−19 ) eV
Where is electronvolt used?
Electronvolt(eV) is a unit of energy that is commonly used in atomic and nuclear physics.
Can you convert electronvolt to Watt?
You can’t convert electronvolt to Watt, because electron-volt and Watt units represent different quantities. Electron-volt(eV) is the unit of energy and Watt is the unit of power.
Can you convert electronvolt to Volt?
You can’t convert electronvolt to Volt, because electron-volt and Volt units represent different quantities. Electron-volt(eV) is the unit of energy and Volt is the unit of potential difference.
Solving Numerical problems using eV
a) Determine the speed of a proton (m = 1.67 × 10–27 kg) that is accelerated from rest by a potential difference of 5.0 × 103 V.
b) A proton with speed 4.4 × 106 m s−1 enters a region of electric field directed in such a way that the proton is slowed down.
Determine the potential difference required to slow the proton down to half its initial speed.
Solution:
(a)
Summary
We have seen how to define eV and how it is related to Joule. We have also gone through a number of frequently asked questions related to electronvolt. We have seen how to solve a numerical problem related to eV for better understanding.
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