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Electronvolt Conversion Table
This comprehensive electronvolt conversion table shows how various units relate to electronvolts. Use this reference for quick conversions between electronvolts and other common energy units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Electronvolts to joules | Joules | 1.60218e-19 |
| Electronvolts to kilojoules | Kilojoules | 1.60218e-22 |
| Electronvolts to calories | Calories | 3.8293e-20 |
| Electronvolts to kilocalories | Kilocalories | 3.8293e-23 |
| Electronvolts to BTUs | BTUs | 1.5186e-22 |
| Electronvolts to foot-pounds | Foot-pounds | 1.1817e-19 |
| Electronvolts to ergs | Ergs | 1.60218e-12 |
| Electronvolts to therms | Therms | 1.5186e-27 |
| Electronvolts to tons of TNT | Tons of TNT | 3.8293e-29 |
This electronvolt conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for scientific and engineering applications. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision.
What is an Electronvolt?
The electronvolt (symbol: eV) is a unit of energy commonly used in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. It is defined as the amount of kinetic energy gained by a single electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt in a vacuum. This definition makes the electronvolt equal to approximately 1.60218 × 10^-19 joules.
The electronvolt is particularly useful for describing energies at the atomic and subatomic scale where joule values would be extremely small. For example, visible light photons have energies of about 1.6 to 3.4 electronvolts. Our electronvolt conversion tool helps you easily convert between electronvolts and other energy units.
What is the SI of Electronvolt?
The electronvolt is not an SI unit, but it is accepted for use with the SI. The joule (J) is the SI unit for energy. The relationship between electronvolts and joules is fixed by the elementary charge and the definition of the volt. In SI units conversion, 1 eV equals approximately 1.60218 × 10^-19 joules:
- 1 eV = 1.60218 × 10^-19 J
- 1 keV (kiloelectronvolt) = 1,000 eV = 1.60218 × 10^-16 J
- 1 MeV (megaelectronvolt) = 1,000,000 eV = 1.60218 × 10^-13 J
- 1 GeV (gigaelectronvolt) = 1,000,000,000 eV = 1.60218 × 10^-10 J
- 1 TeV (teraelectronvolt) = 1,000,000,000,000 eV = 1.60218 × 10^-7 J
What are Electronvolts Used For?
Electronvolts are used primarily in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics to describe energies at the subatomic scale. As a convenient unit for energy conversion, electronvolts are essential in these scientific fields:
Atomic Physics
Describing ionization energies and electron binding energies. For example, the ionization energy of hydrogen is about 13.6 eV.
Nuclear Physics
Measuring nuclear binding energies and reaction energies. For example, the binding energy per nucleon in iron-56 is about 8.8 MeV.
Particle Physics
Expressing particle collision energies in accelerators. For example, the Large Hadron Collider operates at energies up to 13 TeV.
Medical Physics
Characterizing X-ray and gamma-ray photon energies. For example, medical X-rays typically have energies between 20 and 150 keV.
Etymology and History
The term "electronvolt" combines "electron" and "volt," reflecting its definition based on the energy gained by an electron moving through a potential difference of one volt. The concept emerged in the early 20th century as physicists began studying atomic and subatomic phenomena where the joule was too large a unit for practical use.
The electronvolt became widely adopted after the development of particle accelerators in the 1930s, which could impart precisely measured energies to subatomic particles. Today, it is an essential unit in modern physics research, particularly in high-energy physics experiments. This evolution reflects the advancement of measurement science and the need for units appropriate to the energy scales being studied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the electronvolt used instead of joules?
The electronvolt is used because energies at the atomic and subatomic scale are extremely small when expressed in joules. For example, visible light photons have energies around 10^-19 joules, which is cumbersome to work with. The electronvolt provides a more convenient scale where these energies are expressed as single or double-digit numbers (1.6 to 3.4 eV for visible light), making calculations and discussions more practical.
How accurate is the electronvolt definition?
The electronvolt definition is extremely accurate as it's based on fundamental physical constants. The conversion factor to joules (1.602176634 × 10^-19 J/eV) is defined exactly since 2019, when the elementary charge was given an exact value. This makes the electronvolt one of the most precisely defined energy units for scientific work.
What's the difference between eV and Joule?
The main difference is scale. Both are units of energy, but 1 eV equals only 1.60218 × 10^-19 joules. The joule is the SI unit suitable for macroscopic energies, while the electronvolt is used for atomic and subatomic energies. For example, the energy needed to lift an apple one meter is about 1 joule, but binding energy of an electron in an atom is measured in eV.
How do I convert electronvolts to other units?
Use our electronvolt conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert eV to joules, multiply by 1.60218 × 10^-19. For detailed instructions on converting eV to joules, visit our eV to joule converter. Our tool also handles conversions to calories, BTUs, and other energy units with high precision.
What are common uses for electronvolt conversion?
Electronvolt conversion is essential in physics education, research laboratories, particle accelerator facilities, and medical imaging. Whether calculating photon energies for X-rays, determining binding energies in atoms, or converting particle collision energies, our electronvolt converter tool simplifies these specialized tasks.
How does electronvolt conversion differ from other energy units?
The electronvolt is specifically designed for atomic and subatomic energy scales, unlike joules which are suitable for macroscopic energies. Other energy units like calories (used in nutrition) and BTUs (used in heating) serve different practical purposes. The electronvolt's relationship to fundamental physics makes it unique among energy units.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in electronvolts?
Yes, our electronvolt converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For subatomic work, convert meV (millielectronvolts) to eV. For high-energy physics, convert TeV (teraelectronvolts) to joules. Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your electronvolt conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our electronvolt conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning physics to researchers working on advanced scientific projects.