Is Proton Volt Equal to Electron Volt Despite Proton's Greater Mass?

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    Electron Proton Volt
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between proton volts and electron volts, particularly questioning whether they are equivalent despite the significant mass difference between protons and electrons. The scope includes conceptual clarification and technical reasoning related to energy and charge in electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a proton volt is equal to an electron volt, noting the mass difference between the two particles.
  • Another participant explains that 1 eV is a unit of energy acquired by an electron when accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt, arguing that the work done depends on the charge and the electric field, not the mass.
  • A different participant agrees with the previous point, stating that both an electron and a proton gain 1 eV of kinetic energy in a 1 V potential, but emphasizes that the proton will not achieve the same velocity due to its greater mass.
  • One participant suggests that the 'e' in eV refers to the electronic charge rather than the electron itself, which may imply a different perspective on the definition of the unit.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the equivalence of proton volts and electron volts, with some supporting the idea that they can be considered equal in terms of energy gained, while others raise questions about the implications of mass on velocity and energy equivalence.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the implications of mass on kinetic energy and velocity, as well as the interpretation of the unit eV in relation to charge and particle identity.

lamp post
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is proton volt = electron volt? if yes then why? even if proton is 1840 times massive then electron and eV Is work done in carrying an electron from one potentail difference to another when potentail differnece is 1 V.
 
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1eV is a unit of energy. It is said that when an electron is accelerated by a potential difference of 1 volt, it acquires energy of 1eV. The work that is done against an electric field depends only on the field itself and the charge of the particle you are moving, the mass doesn't matter. Since the charges of an electron and a proton are equal, but different in sign, I don't see why |1pV| = |1eV| can't be true. (I use absolute values since the charge of the proton is positive whereas the charge of the electron is negative.)
 
lamp post said:
is proton volt = electron volt? if yes then why? even if proton is 1840 times massive then electron and eV Is work done in carrying an electron from one potentail difference to another when potentail differnece is 1 V.

You are correct. Since both electron and proton have the identical amount of charge (except for the sign), an electron and a proton in a 1 V potential will gain 1 eV of KINETIC ENERGY. And that's the key here. The proton will NOT gain the same velocity as the electron, but since it is more massive, it doesn't have to for it to have the identical kinetic energy as the electron.

Zz.
 
Think of the 'e' in eV as standing for the electronic charge, e, not the electron itself.

- Warren
 

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