Electron volt
GLOSSARY
ELECTRON VOLT
The change of
potential energy experienced by an electron moving
from a place where the potential has a value of V to a place where
it has a value of (V+1 volt). T his is a convenient energy unit when
dealing with the motions of electrons and ions in electric fields;
this unit also describes the energy of X-rays and
gamma rays. A keV (or kiloelectron volt) is equal to 1000 electron
volts. An MeV is equal to one million electron volts. A GeV is equal
to one billion (109) electron volts. A TeV is equal to a trillion (1012) electron volts. 1 eV equals 1.6022 x 10-19
Joule.