Electronvolt to Joule

Minimal, fast, and accurate. Type a value, select units, get the result instantly.

Type a number to convert instantly.

Result

1.6022e-19

J

Conversion rate: 1 eV = 1.6022e-19 J

Showing up to 4 decimal

How it works

1. Enter Your Value

Type any number into the input field. Our converter accepts decimals, negatives, and whole numbers for precise calculations.

2. Select Units

Choose from hundreds of units across categories like length, weight, temperature, and more. Use the search to find units quickly.

3. Get Instant Results

See the converted value in real-time. Our formulas use internationally recognized conversion factors for accuracy.

Understanding Conversion Factors

Every unit conversion uses a conversion factor a fixed numerical relationship between units. For example, 1 meter equals exactly 3.28084 feet. Our converter applies these standardized factors from international measurement systems (SI, Imperial, US Customary) to ensure accuracy across all conversions.

Results show between 0 and 8 decimal places and hide trailing zeros for readability.

Electronvolt to Joule Conversion: Mathematical Explanation

The Main Conversion Formula: Electronvolt (eV) to Joule (J)

To convert energy from electronvolts to joules, we use the formula: Energy (J) = Energy (eV) × 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹. This means that 1 electronvolt (eV) is equal to exactly 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules (J). This precise value is internationally defined based on fundamental physical constants.

How the Conversion Factor is Derived

An electronvolt represents the amount of kinetic energy gained or lost by a single electron accelerating through an electric potential difference of one volt. Mathematically, it's the product of the electron charge (approximately 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulombs) and the potential difference (1 volt). Since 1 volt times 1 coulomb equals 1 joule, 1 eV corresponds to 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules. This relationship forms the basis for the eV to joule unit conversion.

Step-by-Step Example: Convert 5 eV to Joules

Suppose you want to convert 5 electronvolts to joules. Using our formula: Energy (J) = 5 × 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ = 8.01088317 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules. This example highlights how even small electronvolt values correspond to extremely tiny energy quantities in joules, emphasizing why this unit is popular in atomic and particle physics.

Example for Scientific Applications (Physics)

In quantum mechanics and particle physics, energies of photons or electrons are often given in eV due to their convenience at atomic scales. For instance, the ionization energy of a hydrogen atom is approximately 13.6 eV. To express this in the more universal unit joules: 13.6 eV × 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ = 2.179 × 10⁻¹⁸ J. Using this electronvolt to joule calculator formula facilitates bridging microscopic and macroscopic physics.

Example for Engineering or Industry Use

Materials science and semiconductor engineering often use electronvolts to describe energy band gaps. For example, silicon has a band gap of roughly 1.12 eV. Converting to joules: 1.12 × 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ = 1.794 × 10⁻¹⁹ J. Precise energy conversion eV to J is critical here because it determines the electrical and optical properties of materials.

Reverse Conversion: Joules to Electronvolts

To convert joules back to electronvolts, the formula is inverted: Energy (eV) = Energy (J) ÷ 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹. For example, converting 3.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ joules yields 3.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ ÷ 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ ≈ 20 eV. This bidirectional conversion helps users switch easily between microscopic and macroscopic energy units.

Common Mistakes and Tips for Accurate Conversion

  • Beware of incorrect powers of ten; the factor is approximately 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹, not 10⁻¹⁸ or 10⁻²⁰.
  • Ensure units are consistent; electronvolt is a unit of energy, not to be confused with voltage alone.
  • Use high-precision values when dealing with sensitive scientific calculations.
  • Remember that the electronvolt reflects energy on an atomic scale, so quantities can be very small compared to everyday energy measurements in joules.

Why Accurate Electronvolt to Joule Conversion Matters

Accurately converting electronvolt to joule is essential for precise calculations in physics, chemistry, and engineering. It aids in understanding phenomena at atomic and subatomic scales and harmonizes measurements between scientific disciplines. Whether you’re performing simulations, analyzing semiconductor properties, or studying radiation, using the correct electronvolt joule formula ensures reliable results.

Conversion Table

Electronvolt Joule
1 eV 1.6022e-19 J
10 eV 1.6022e-18 J
100 eV 1.6022e-17 J
1000 eV 1.6022e-16 J
1000000 eV 1.6022e-13 J

History

The History and Evolution of Electronvolt to Joule Energy Conversion

Understanding the conversion from electronvolt to joule is essential for many fields of physics, chemistry, and engineering. Both units measure energy, but their historical origins and applications vary widely, reflecting the scientific advancements and measurement needs of different eras. This article explores the historical background, evolution, and modern relevance of the electronvolt (eV) and the joule (J), providing insights into their relationship and how to convert electronvolt to joule effectively.

Origins and Historical Development of the Electronvolt

The electronvolt is a relatively modern unit of energy, primarily used in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. It originated in the early 20th century, rooted in the study of electrons and their behavior in electric fields. The concept of the electronvolt is based on the energy gained by an electron when it moves through an electric potential difference of one volt.

The term electronvolt combines "electron," denoting the fundamental charged particle discovered by J.J. Thomson in 1897, and "volt," the unit of electric potential named after Alessandro Volta. Physicists needed a practical energy unit tailored to the scales involved in subatomic processes, where the joule a large SI unit was less convenient to use.

The electronvolt was introduced to quantify energies typical in interactions at the quantum level, such as electron excitation and nuclear reactions. Its adoption became widespread with the growth of quantum mechanics and particle physics throughout the 20th century, making it a standard energy unit in these specialized fields.

Historical Origins and Evolution of the Joule

The joule has a much longer and more diverse history. It is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI), named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule. Joule’s pioneering experiments in the mid-19th century demonstrated the principle of conservation of energy and quantified the relationship between mechanical work and heat, leading to the formulation of the first law of thermodynamics.

Formally defined in 1889, one joule is the amount of energy transferred when a force of one newton moves an object one meter in the direction of the force. This definition links the joule with the fundamental mechanical units of force and distance. Over time, the joule became the universal unit of energy, used in fields ranging from mechanical engineering to chemistry and electricity.

Its global adoption for energy measurement standardized calculations and scientific communication, enabling easy comparisons and conversions across various domains and industries. Unlike the electronvolt, the joule is a macroscopic energy unit convenient for everyday energy quantities, such as electrical consumption and heat.

Evolution of the Electronvolt and Joule Definitions and Conversion

The formal definitions of the electronvolt and joule have remained stable since their adoption but have been refined with improved fundamental constants and measurement techniques. The electronvolt is based on the elementary electric charge e (charge of a single electron), which is exactly defined as 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulombs since the 2019 redefinition.

Hence, the conversion from electronvolt to joule is precise and constant: 1 electronvolt (eV) equals exactly 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules (J). This eV to joule conversion formula is widely used in scientific calculations and energy conversion tools, enabling seamless unit conversion for physicists and engineers.

The inverse is equally straightforward since energy units are linear and proportional. This precise relationship simplifies the use of electronvolt joule calculators, conversion tables, and formulas, supporting a broad spectrum of scientific and industrial applications.

Modern Usage and Relevance of Electronvolt and Joule Units

Today, the electronvolt remains indispensable in fields that study phenomena at very small energy scales such as particle physics, quantum chemistry, and semiconductor research. It provides a practical scale for understanding atomic excitation, ionization energies, and reaction thresholds.

Conversely, the joule is the preferred energy unit for macroscopic and everyday phenomena. It is used globally in engineering disciplines, thermodynamics, power generation, and electrical energy consumption. The joule’s metric base allows it to integrate with other SI units like the watt (power) and the newton (force).

In industry and academia, converting electronvolt to joule is routine when bridging micro- and macroscopic energy descriptions, such as analyzing radiation energy or designing materials with specific electronic properties. Research laboratories and educational settings worldwide employ eV to J unit conversion tools and calculators for accurate energy quantification.

Why Understanding Electronvolt to Joule Conversion Matters Today

The ability to convert between electronvolt and joule seamlessly is crucial for scientific accuracy and technological advancement. For instance, understanding how many joules in an electronvolt allows researchers to relate atomic-scale events to measurable energy outputs in engineering contexts.

Moreover, the electronvolt joule relationship aids in interpreting experimental data, simulating physical systems, and designing devices that rely on quantum mechanical principles. The widespread availability of electronvolt joule calculators, conversion formulas, and online tools makes this energy conversion accessible to beginners and experts alike.

As science and technology integrate increasingly across scales, mastering unit conversion eV to J, including the electronvolt to joule formula and its practical applications, becomes an essential skill. This knowledge supports learning, research, and industrial innovation, highlighting the continued importance of these fundamental energy units.

Other Relevant Conversions

J → kJ J → cal J → kcal J → Wh J → kWh J → eV J → BTU kJ → J kJ → cal kJ → kcal kJ → Wh kJ → kWh kJ → eV kJ → BTU cal → J cal → kJ cal → kcal cal → Wh cal → kWh cal → eV cal → BTU kcal → J kcal → kJ kcal → cal kcal → Wh kcal → kWh kcal → eV kcal → BTU Wh → J Wh → kJ Wh → cal Wh → kcal Wh → kWh Wh → eV Wh → BTU kWh → J kWh → kJ kWh → cal kWh → kcal kWh → Wh kWh → eV kWh → BTU eV → J eV → kJ eV → cal eV → kcal eV → Wh eV → kWh eV → BTU BTU → J BTU → kJ BTU → cal BTU → kcal BTU → Wh BTU → kWh BTU → eV