Difference between revisions of "Electron-Volts"
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| − | '''Electron-Volts''' | + | '''Electron-Volts''' are a unit of [[energy]] equal to that attained by an [[electron]] falling unimpeded through a [[voltage|potential difference]] of one [[volt]].<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/science/electron-volt Electron volt] from britannica.com</ref> One electron-Volt is equal to 1.602×10<sup>-19</sup> [[Joule#Joule|Joules]]. It is commonly abbreviated as eV and standard prefixes are used to denote larger or smaller quantities, e.g. 1 MeV = 1 million electron-volts. |
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| + | The units is commonly used in atomic, nuclear and particle physics due to the small energies encountered. For example, the [[ionization energy]] of [[hydrogen]] is 13.6 eV and the energy of a typical [[alpha particle]] is 2-10 MeV.<ref name=hyperphysics>[http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/ev.html Energies in Electron Volts] from hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu</ref> | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Electricity]] | [[Category:Electricity]] | ||
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:09, February 13, 2018
Electron-Volts are a unit of energy equal to that attained by an electron falling unimpeded through a potential difference of one volt.[1] One electron-Volt is equal to 1.602×10-19 Joules. It is commonly abbreviated as eV and standard prefixes are used to denote larger or smaller quantities, e.g. 1 MeV = 1 million electron-volts.
The units is commonly used in atomic, nuclear and particle physics due to the small energies encountered. For example, the ionization energy of hydrogen is 13.6 eV and the energy of a typical alpha particle is 2-10 MeV.[2]
References
- ↑ Electron volt from britannica.com
- ↑ Energies in Electron Volts from hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu