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What is an Electron Volt a Unit of?

Answer – An electron volt is a unit of energy. It is denoted by eV.

Explanation:

An electron volt is a commonly used measure of energy. It is represented by eV and is defined as the amount of energy required to move an electron through a one volt potential difference. Used extensively in nuclear and atomic physics, this unit is often employed in the context of chemical reactions and when considering the movement of electrons toward and away from the nucleus. 

An electron volt is alternatively also defined as the amount of kinetic energy an electron gains when it is accelerated by a one volt potential difference. Therefore:

1 eV = 12 mv², since KE (Kinetic Energy) = 12 mv²

Further, as the SI unit of energy is joule, it is useful to know how to convert electron volts to joules. For this, we apply the definition of electron volt to the formula E = qV, where E is energy, q is charge, and V is the potential difference.

This would mean substituting E = 1 eV, q = 1.6 × 10¹C (charge of an electron), and V = 1 V in the above formula as follows:

1 eV = 1.6 × 10¹C × 1 V

Substituting 1 volt = 1 joule of energy1 coulomb of charge, we get:

1 eV = 1.6 × 10¹C (1 J 1 C)

1 eV = 1.6 × 10¹ J

Thus, 1 eV = 1.6 × 10¹ J


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