Understanding the conversion between electronvolts (eV) and volts (V) is crucial in physics and electronics. This conversion bridges energy scales and electrical potential differences.
This article explores the fundamental principles, formulas, and practical applications of the eV to volts conversion. It also provides detailed tables and examples for expert use.
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Comprehensive Tables of Common eV to Volts Values
| Energy (eV) | Voltage (V) | Description / Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1 eV | 1 V | Reference energy for electron charge |
| 0.5 eV | 0.5 V | Typical semiconductor bandgap energy |
| 1.12 eV | 1.12 V | Silicon bandgap at room temperature |
| 2.0 eV | 2.0 V | Photon energy in visible light spectrum |
| 3.1 eV | 3.1 V | Gallium nitride (GaN) bandgap energy |
| 13.6 eV | 13.6 V | Hydrogen ionization energy |
| 100 eV | 100 V | Low-energy electron beams in vacuum tubes |
| 1,000 eV (1 keV) | 1,000 V | X-ray photon energy scale |
| 1,000,000 eV (1 MeV) | 1,000,000 V | High-energy particle accelerators |
Fundamental Formulas for eV to Volts Conversion
The conversion between electronvolts (eV) and volts (V) is based on the fundamental charge of an electron. The electronvolt is defined as the amount of kinetic energy gained or lost by an electron when it moves through an electric potential difference of one volt.
- Basic relationship:
Since the charge of an electron is a fundamental constant, the formula can be rearranged to convert between energy in electronvolts and voltage:
However, because 1 eV is defined as the energy gained by an electron moving through 1 volt, the numerical value of energy in eV is numerically equal to the voltage in volts when considering a single electron charge. This means:
Constants and Variables Explained
- Energy (E): Measured in electronvolts (eV), represents the kinetic or potential energy of a particle.
- Voltage (V): Electric potential difference measured in volts (V).
- Charge of electron (e): Fundamental charge, approximately 1.602176634 × 10-19 coulombs (C).
Conversion to Joules
Since volts and electronvolts are related through charge, converting eV to volts often involves intermediate conversion to joules (J), the SI unit of energy:
Therefore, if energy is given in joules, voltage can be calculated as:
Detailed Real-World Examples of eV to Volts Conversion
Example 1: Calculating Voltage from Electron Energy in a Semiconductor
Consider an electron with energy of 1.12 eV, which corresponds to the bandgap energy of silicon at room temperature. To find the equivalent voltage:
- Given: Energy E = 1.12 eV
- Since 1 eV corresponds to 1 V for a single electron charge, the voltage V = 1.12 V
This voltage represents the potential difference an electron must overcome to jump from the valence band to the conduction band in silicon.
Example 2: Determining Voltage from Photon Energy in Visible Light
Visible light photons typically have energies around 2 eV. To find the voltage equivalent:
- Given: Energy E = 2 eV
- Voltage V = 2 V (since 1 eV = 1 V × e)
This voltage corresponds to the potential difference that would impart the same energy to an electron as the photon energy.
Expanded Technical Insights on eV to Volts Conversion
While the direct numerical equivalence of eV and volts is straightforward for single electrons, complexities arise in multi-electron systems or when considering macroscopic quantities of charge. For example, in electrochemical cells or batteries, the voltage is a macroscopic potential difference, while electronvolt is a microscopic energy unit.
In particle accelerators, the energy of particles is often expressed in electronvolts (keV, MeV, GeV), but the accelerating voltage applied is a macroscopic quantity. The relationship between these depends on the number of charges and the system configuration.
Additional Formulas for Related Conversions
- Energy in Joules from eV: E (J) = E (eV) × 1.602176634 × 10-19
- Voltage from energy in joules: V = E (J) / e
- Energy in eV from voltage: E (eV) = V × 1 (for single electron charge)
Practical Applications of eV to Volts Conversion
- Semiconductor Physics: Understanding bandgap energies and designing electronic devices.
- Photoelectric Effect: Calculating stopping voltages for electrons emitted by photons.
- Particle Physics: Relating particle energies to accelerating voltages in accelerators.
- Electrochemistry: Linking microscopic energy changes to macroscopic voltage measurements.
For further reading and authoritative standards, consult the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference on fundamental physical constants: NIST Physical Constants.