How Do You Convert Volts to Joules for Calculating Electron Velocity?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting volts to joules in the context of calculating the maximum velocity of an electron accelerated by a potential difference of 10,000 volts. The subject area includes concepts of energy conversion and kinetic energy in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to convert volts to joules and questions the appropriateness of using the kinetic energy formula. Participants discuss the definition of electron-volts and their conversion to joules, with some clarifying the relationship between energy and voltage.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various interpretations of the conversion factor for electron-volts to joules, with some participants providing specific values and others questioning the precision of those values. There is an ongoing dialogue about the significance of significant figures in the context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of precision in calculations and the potential for rounding errors, reflecting on the implications of significant figures based on the data provided in the problem.

icedevilwoot
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Hey.
I just got up to this question which I am stuck on an need a bit of help.
Electron is accelerated by a potential difference of 10,000 volts
1) What is the max velocity it will attain
Now, I tried using the ke = 0.5 x M x V^2
Just how do I convert Volts to joules and is that the correct formula I am using? Thanks.
 
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You need to convert "electron-volts" (eV) to joules. The eV is the energy of one electron accelerated across one volt. To get to joules, you use the same number as the number of electrons in one coulomb (since a joule is a "coulomb-volt"). You will get a very small number for joules. THen proceed with the KE equation.
 
[itex] 1 eV = 1.6 x 10^-19 Joules[/itex]
 
Dr.Brain said:
[itex] 1 eV = 1.6 x 10^-19 Joules[/itex]
didn't you mean [itex]1 eV \approx 1.6 \times 10^-19[/itex] Joules
or to better precision [itex]1 eV \approx 1.60217646 \times 10^-19[/itex] Joules
 
Stop being so critical.

[itex]1 eV \approx 1.60217646 \times 10^{-19}[/itex] so youre both wrong.
 
Ouabache said:
didn't you mean [itex]1 eV \approx 1.6 \times 10^-19[/itex] Joules
or to better precision [itex]1 eV \approx 1.60217646 \times 10^-19[/itex] Joules

Yes, that was what he meant- that was exactly what he said.

And, of course, since the data was given to two significant figures, so was his answer!
 
HallsofIvy said:
Yes, that was what he meant- that was exactly what he said.

And, of course, since the data was given to two significant figures, so was his answer!
Wanted to indicate to the questioner, that Doc's value is not absolute. :rolleyes:
As you correctly alluded, it's rounded off.

In my own experience, I've found it better not to round off until reaching the final answer. Even in academic questions, I've often encountered solution discrepancies due to accumulation of rounding errors.

I wish to apologize to icedevilwoot on behalf of us (mentors) for this lengthy digression.
I wonder how are you making out with your calculations? :smile:
 
Last edited:

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