What is the difference between electron volts and proton volts?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion clarifies that electron volts and proton volts are fundamentally the same in terms of energy, differing only by the sign due to the opposite charges of electrons and protons. An electron volt is defined as the energy gained by an electron when it moves through a potential difference of one volt, while a proton volt represents the same energy for a proton, which moves in the opposite direction. The mass difference between electrons and protons, with protons being approximately 1800 times more massive, does not affect the energy equivalence of the two units. Therefore, one electron volt equals -1 proton volt, emphasizing that both units reflect the same energy but differ in charge direction. The conversation highlights the importance of accuracy in scientific discussions.
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what is the difference between electron volts and proton volts?
 
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Nothing, except for the sign :smile:
 
A proton is approximately 1800 times more massive than an electron. Therefore that factor comes into the size comparison.
 
Because and electron volt is V*(carge on an electron), and a proton volt is V*(charge on a proton), the only difference is in the charge, so it's only a sign change. One electron volt equals -1 proton volts.
 
So far, everyone in this thread has been wrong. Please be careful, folks, when posting help that you don't know for sure is correct!

The electron volt is a unit of energy, NOT CHARGE. The electron volt is the energy gained by an electron when moving through a potential difference of one volt. A proton would gain the exact same energy when moving through such a potential; it would just travel in the opposite direction.

The electron volt and the proton volt represent the same amount of energy, since the charge on the two particles is the same in magnitude.

- Warren
 

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