Joule Converter
Convert Joule to Megaelectron Volt and more • 50 conversions
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Unit Explanations
JouleJ
Source UnitThe joule (symbol: J) is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the energy transferred when a force of one newton is applied over a distance of one meter. Mathematically, one joule is equivalent to one newton-meter (N·m) or one watt-second (W·s). In terms of electrical energy, one joule is also defined as the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second. The joule is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule, who made significant contributions to thermodynamics and the understanding of energy conservation.
Current Use
The joule is widely used in multiple scientific and engineering disciplines to quantify energy, work, and heat. In physics, it serves as a fundamental measure for energy transfer, particularly in mechanics and thermodynamics. Engineers use joules to calculate energy efficiency in machinery and electricity consumption. In nutrition, energy content in food is often expressed in joules or kilojoules, allowing for a clear understanding of energy intake. The joule is also used in international standards for energy efficiency, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Countries that employ the SI system, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and most European nations, utilize the joule as the standard unit for energy measurement, ensuring consistency in scientific communication and research.
Fun Fact
The joule can also be defined in terms of calories, where 1 joule is approximately 0.239 calories.
Megaelectron VoltMeV
Target UnitA megaelectron volt (MeV) is a unit of energy commonly used in the field of nuclear and particle physics. It is defined as one million electron volts (1 MeV = 1,000,000 eV). The electron volt (eV) is the amount of kinetic energy gained or lost by an electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt. In the context of atomic and subatomic processes, MeV is particularly useful for quantifying energy levels of particles, photon energies in gamma rays, and binding energies in atomic nuclei. The conversion to joules can be done using the relationship 1 eV = 1.602 x 10^-19 joules, leading to 1 MeV being equal to approximately 1.602 x 10^-13 joules, making it a practical scale for high-energy physics.
Current Use
Today, the megaelectron volt is a standard unit of energy in nuclear and particle physics, extensively used for describing the energies involved in nuclear reactions and particle collisions. It is commonly employed in high-energy physics experiments, such as those conducted at particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland. In medical physics, MeV is used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment, where high-energy photons (like X-rays) are measured in MeV to determine their potency in destroying cancer cells. Additionally, astrophysicists use MeV to describe the energies of cosmic rays and gamma rays originating from high-energy astronomical phenomena such as supernovae and black holes. Countries such as the USA, Germany, and Japan utilize MeV in their scientific research, reflecting its global significance in advancing our understanding of the universe.
Fun Fact
The energy of one megaelectron volt is equivalent to the kinetic energy of a proton moving at approximately 5% of the speed of light.
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= × 1.00000How to Convert
To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.
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💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion ( → ), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.
Joule
energy • SI Unit
Definition
The joule (symbol: J) is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the energy transferred when a force of one newton is applied over a distance of one meter. Mathematically, one joule is equivalent to one newton-meter (N·m) or one watt-second (W·s). In terms of electrical energy, one joule is also defined as the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second. The joule is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule, who made significant contributions to thermodynamics and the understanding of energy conservation.
History & Origin
The joule was named after James Prescott Joule, an English physicist known for his pioneering work on the mechanical equivalent of heat and the first law of thermodynamics. Joule's experiments in the mid-19th century demonstrated the relationship between mechanical work and heat, leading to the establishment of the principle of energy conservation. His work laid the foundation for the study of thermodynamics and energy transfer, which ultimately influenced the definition of the joule as a unit of energy.
Etymology: The term 'joule' is derived from the name of James Prescott Joule, reflecting his significant contributions to the understanding of energy and thermodynamics.
Current Use
The joule is widely used in multiple scientific and engineering disciplines to quantify energy, work, and heat. In physics, it serves as a fundamental measure for energy transfer, particularly in mechanics and thermodynamics. Engineers use joules to calculate energy efficiency in machinery and electricity consumption. In nutrition, energy content in food is often expressed in joules or kilojoules, allowing for a clear understanding of energy intake. The joule is also used in international standards for energy efficiency, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Countries that employ the SI system, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and most European nations, utilize the joule as the standard unit for energy measurement, ensuring consistency in scientific communication and research.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The joule can also be defined in terms of calories, where 1 joule is approximately 0.239 calories.
- •James Prescott Joule, for whom the unit is named, was also a brewer and applied his knowledge of energy to measure heat in brewing.
- •In some contexts, the joule is used to measure the energy content of food as kilojoules (kJ), making it essential for dietary guidelines.
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Megaelectron Volt
energy • Non-SI
Definition
A megaelectron volt (MeV) is a unit of energy commonly used in the field of nuclear and particle physics. It is defined as one million electron volts (1 MeV = 1,000,000 eV). The electron volt (eV) is the amount of kinetic energy gained or lost by an electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt. In the context of atomic and subatomic processes, MeV is particularly useful for quantifying energy levels of particles, photon energies in gamma rays, and binding energies in atomic nuclei. The conversion to joules can be done using the relationship 1 eV = 1.602 x 10^-19 joules, leading to 1 MeV being equal to approximately 1.602 x 10^-13 joules, making it a practical scale for high-energy physics.
History & Origin
The concept of the electron volt originated from the early studies of electricity and particles in the late 19th century. The term was first used in 1900 by physicist Wilhelm Röntgen when he discovered X-rays. Following this, the electron volt became a standard unit for measuring energy at the atomic level, particularly due to its convenience in high-energy physics. The prefix 'mega-' signifies a factor of one million, which was standardized in the International System of Units (SI) in the 1960s, thus solidifying the use of MeV in scientific literature and experiments.
Etymology: The term 'megaelectron volt' combines 'mega-', a prefix meaning million, with 'electron volt', which refers to the energy gained by an electron when accelerated through a potential difference of one volt.
Current Use
Today, the megaelectron volt is a standard unit of energy in nuclear and particle physics, extensively used for describing the energies involved in nuclear reactions and particle collisions. It is commonly employed in high-energy physics experiments, such as those conducted at particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland. In medical physics, MeV is used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment, where high-energy photons (like X-rays) are measured in MeV to determine their potency in destroying cancer cells. Additionally, astrophysicists use MeV to describe the energies of cosmic rays and gamma rays originating from high-energy astronomical phenomena such as supernovae and black holes. Countries such as the USA, Germany, and Japan utilize MeV in their scientific research, reflecting its global significance in advancing our understanding of the universe.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The energy of one megaelectron volt is equivalent to the kinetic energy of a proton moving at approximately 5% of the speed of light.
- •In nuclear reactions, energies are often measured in MeV due to the extremely high energy scales involved.
- •The term 'electron volt' is not limited to electrons; it applies to any charged particle moving through an electric potential.
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