Volts to Electron Volts
Convert volts (V) to electron volts (eV) instantly using our free online calculator. Enter voltage and charge in elementary charges or coulombs for accurate results with charts.
About This Calculator
The Volts to Electron Volts Calculator converts electrical potential (voltage) to energy in electron volts (eV). It is essential for students, physicists, and engineers working with particle accelerators, semiconductor physics, quantum mechanics, and atomic-scale energy calculations.
The conversion uses the fundamental relationship E(eV) = V × n, where V is the voltage in volts and n is the number of elementary charges. When using coulombs, the formula is E(eV) = V × C / 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹. The calculator also shows the energy in joules using the conversion 1 eV = 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ J.
Electron volts are a convenient unit for measuring energy at the atomic and subatomic scale. For example, visible light photons have energies around 1.6–3.1 eV, while the Large Hadron Collider accelerates protons to several TeV (trillions of electron volts). This calculator supports any voltage and charge combination, automatically handling large results with exponential notation where needed.
How the Conversion Works
The elementary charge (e = 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ C) is the fundamental constant linking voltage to particle energy. When an electron moves through a potential difference of 1 V, it gains 1 eV of kinetic energy. This direct relationship makes the eV an essential unit in physics, from semiconductor band gaps (∼1 eV for silicon) to gamma-ray astronomy (TeV range).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert volts to electron volts?
To convert volts to electron volts, multiply the voltage (V) by the charge in elementary charge units (e). The formula is E(eV) = V × n, where n is the number of elementary charges. If using coulombs, use E(eV) = V × C / 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹.
What is an electron volt?
An electron volt (eV) is a unit of energy equal to the kinetic energy gained or lost by an electron when it accelerates through an electric potential difference of one volt. One electron volt equals 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ joules.
What is the relationship between volts and electron volts?
Volts measure electric potential (energy per unit charge), while electron volts measure energy. The relationship is: 1 eV = 1 V × e, where e is the elementary charge (1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ C). A voltage of 1 V gives 1 eV of energy to a single electron.
How many electron volts are in one volt?
One volt provides exactly 1 electron volt of energy to a single elementary charge (one electron). More generally, E(eV) = V × n, so a voltage of 5 V applied to 10 electrons gives 50 eV of energy.
How do you convert electron volts to joules?
To convert electron volts to joules, multiply by the elementary charge: 1 eV = 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ J. So E(J) = E(eV) × 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹. Conversely, 1 J = 6.241509074×10¹⁸ eV.
Is this volts to electron volts calculator free?
Yes, this volts to electron volts calculator is completely free to use with no registration required. You can also share your calculations via URL.
What is 1 eV in joules?
1 electron volt (eV) equals exactly 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ joules. This conversion factor is the elementary charge constant, which defines the relationship between electron volts and the SI unit of energy.
Can I use coulombs instead of elementary charges?
Yes, this calculator supports both elementary charges (e) and coulombs (C). When using coulombs, the formula is E(eV) = V × C / 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹. The calculator automatically handles the conversion.