What is electronvolt?
An electronvolt is a unit of energy equal to the work done on an electron by a potential difference of one volt, approximately 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules. It is used in atomic physics, particle physics, and quantum mechanics.
Real-world uses
The electronvolt is the standard energy unit in particle physics, atomic physics, and semiconductor science. X-ray photon energies are measured in keV; visible light photons in eV (about 1.8–3.1 eV); nuclear reactions in MeV; and particle accelerator energies in GeV or TeV.
History
The electronvolt came into use in the early 20th century with the development of quantum mechanics and experimental atomic physics. As physicists began measuring energies of electrons and photons, the eV provided a convenient unit far smaller than the joule but appropriate for subatomic-scale phenomena.
Common mistakes
Confusing the electronvolt with a unit of voltage—it is a unit of energy equal to the kinetic energy gained by one electron accelerated through a potential difference of one volt (1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J). Also mixing up the scale prefixes (keV, MeV, GeV, TeV) when discussing different physical phenomena.
What is megajoule?
A megajoule is a unit of energy equal to one million joules. It is used in industrial energy calculations, explosive yield estimations, and large-scale thermodynamic systems.
Real-world uses
Megajoules are used in energy analysis for fuel content (1 litre of petrol contains about 34.2 MJ), building energy ratings, and industrial process energy requirements. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies report embodied energy in MJ per unit of material.
History
The megajoule became a standard unit in energy engineering and policy analysis during the 20th century. It provides a convenient scale for comparing fuel energy content, industrial processes, and building energy performance across different energy sources.
Common mistakes
Confusing MJ with MWh—1 MWh = 3,600 MJ. Also, when comparing fuel energy densities, failing to distinguish between lower heating value (LHV) and higher heating value (HHV), which can differ by 5–10% for hydrocarbon fuels.
When is this conversion used?
Converting electronvolt to megajoule is useful in the energy domain when comparing values across different measurement standards or applying formulas that require a specific unit.
Worked examples
1 electronvolt = 1.602177e-25 megajoule
1 megajoule = 1,000,000 joule
How to convert electronvolt to megajoule
To convert electronvolt to megajoule, multiply the value by 1.602177e-25.
To convert megajoule back to electronvolt, multiply by 6.241509e+24.
Measurement standards
The joule is the SI derived unit of energy, defined as one kilogram-metre-squared per second-squared (kg·m²/s²). The kilowatt-hour, equal to exactly 3.6 megajoules, is accepted for use with the SI by the BIPM for practical electricity metering.
Did you know?
A single bolt of lightning releases roughly 1 to 5 gigajoules of energy, yet only a small fraction reaches the ground as electrical current. Most of the energy dissipates as light, heat, and the thunder shockwave.
Quick reference: electronvolt to megajoule
| electronvolt | megajoule |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.602177e-26 |
| 0.5 | 8.010883e-26 |
| 1 | 1.602177e-25 |
| 2 | 3.204353e-25 |
| 5 | 8.010883e-25 |
| 10 | 1.602177e-24 |
| 25 | 4.005442e-24 |
| 50 | 8.010883e-24 |
| 100 | 1.602177e-23 |
| 250 | 4.005442e-23 |
| 500 | 8.010883e-23 |
| 1,000 | 1.602177e-22 |
Common values
| electronvolt | megajoule | |
|---|---|---|
| A food calorie (1 kcal) | 2.611447e+22 electronvolt | 0.004184 megajoule |
| A AA battery | 5.842052e+22 electronvolt | 0.00936 megajoule |
| Boiling a kettle | 2.621434e+24 electronvolt | 0.42 megajoule |
| Daily human diet (2000 kcal) | 5.222895e+25 electronvolt | 8.368 megajoule |
| 1 gallon of gasoline | 8.223812e+26 electronvolt | 131.76 megajoule |
Available Energy units
More electronvolt conversions
- Convert electronvolt to joule
- Convert electronvolt to kilojoule
- Convert electronvolt to kilowatt hour
- Convert electronvolt to calorie (thermochemical)
- Convert electronvolt to kilocalorie (dietary)
- Convert electronvolt to watt hour
- Convert electronvolt to megajoule
- Convert electronvolt to British thermal unit
- Convert electronvolt to therm (US)
Assumption: calorie means thermochemical calorie, and therm means US therm.