What is the significance of using electron-volts in chemistry?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of electron-volts (eV) in the context of cell potentials in chemistry. While an electron-volt is primarily a unit of energy, it can also be interpreted as a unit of electric potential when discussing the energy of an electron accelerated by a potential difference of one volt. Participants clarify that the instructor may be conflating energy and potential, suggesting that the term "Eo Volts" refers to standard electrode potential. Ultimately, the correct interpretation hinges on the context in which the term is used.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrochemistry concepts, including cell potentials.
  • Familiarity with the definitions of energy units, specifically electron-volts and joules.
  • Knowledge of standard electrode potentials and their significance in electrochemical reactions.
  • Basic physics principles regarding electric potential and energy conversion.
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  • Research the relationship between electron-volts and electric potential in electrochemistry.
  • Study the concept of standard electrode potential (Eo) and its applications in chemical reactions.
  • Explore the conversion between electron-volts and joules for various chemical processes.
  • Investigate common misconceptions in the interpretation of energy units in physics and chemistry.
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Chemistry students, educators, and professionals in electrochemistry who seek clarity on the application of electron-volts in the context of cell potentials and energy measurements.

pwood
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Hi all,
My instructor in my college chemistry class continually refers to cell potentials (as in battery cell potentials) in units of electron-volts. Is there any case in physics or chemistry where this is correct? My understanding is that an electron-volt is generally a unit of energy, but I didn't think it was correct to use it for electric potential, cell or not.
Thanks,
PWood
 
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Electron volts are used when the energy involved is extremely small.

1 eV = 1.6 x 10^-19 J...so when you are talking about very small amounts of energy, it is more convenient to express the energy as an eV than a joule.
 
Hi Woopydalan,

I appreciate your post, but I already stated that I knew that it was a unit of energy. What I am asking is: are there any uses of the electron-volt that interpret it as a unit of electric potential? That is how my chemistry instructor uses it, I believe incorrectly.

I am aware that it is used in some fields as a unit of mass, momentum, and distance. I am in doubt that it is ever used as a unit of electric potential.

So, that is the question: is it ever (correctly) interpreted as a unit of electric potential?
 
Two cases : Either the professor is taking off on wrong foot (happens all the time) or he actually may mean another thing.

Case 1: Just delete the term electron in your mind. You're more than happy person.

Case 2: 1 Electron volt is the energy of an electron when it is accelerated by the potential difference of 1 Volt. Since in electrochemistry, the cells (or Redox couple) we make have some electrons transfer from Anode to Cathode, accompanied by the generation of Potential, "Maybe" he may had mixed those two things as one.

Your best bet is still to ask him loud and clear. And if you are afraid, ask him in a form of a textbook question, in which the answer is in form of Volts.
 
He's probably expressing the potential as Eo Volts... which is a standard electrode (the "Eo" part) in units of volts.
 

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