The work done by an electron in accelerating it between two points having a potential difference of 1 Volt is given by
W=qΔV
W=(1.6×10-19 C)×1V
W=1.6×10-19 J
This is the commonly used unit of energy in atomic physics, it is called electron volt. It is denoted by eV.
Definition of Electron Volt (eV)
It is equal to potential energy gained or lost by an electron in moving through a potential difference of 1 volt.
1eV = 1.6×10-19 J
Electron volt (eV) is a smaller unit of energy used in atomic physics.
Multiples of electron volt
| 1 meV (milli electron volt) | 10-3 eV | 1.6×10-22 J |
| 1 KeV (killo electron volt) | 103 eV | 1.6×10-16 J |
| 1 MeV (mega electron volt) | 106 eV | 1.6×10-13 J |
| 1 GeV(giga electron volt) | 109 eV | 1.6×10-10 J |
| 1 TeV (tera electron volt) | 1012 eV | 1.6×10-7 J |
