Version francaise

The electron-volt (unit of energy)

In particle physics, a unit of energy is commonly used: the electron-volt (eV).

1 eV = 1.6 10-19 Joules


Moreover, particles masses are expressed in a more convenient way thanks to the electron-volt.
The famous equation E = mc2 gives the following relationship:

1 eV/c2 = 1.8 10-36 kg

An electron, for instance, has a mass of 511 keV, that is about 10-30 kg.


Back to main page

Last update: 26/06/1999 : http://wwwlapp.in2p3.fr/neutrinos/agev.html
Didier Verkindt