An energy conversion calculator can help you convert energy from one unit to another.
Energy conversion involves expressing energy in different units to facilitate understanding and comparison across various systems. Here are some common units and their relationships:
- Electronvolt (eV): It is a unit of energy commonly used in atomic and subatomic physics. One electronvolt is equal to the energy gained or lost by an electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt.
- Electron (e): The elementary particle with a negative electric charge. In energy conversions, electrons are often involved in electrical systems.
- Joule (J): The SI unit of energy. One joule is equal to the work done when a force of one newton acts over a distance of one meter.
- Foot-pound (flb): A unit of energy commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom. One foot-pound is the energy required to lift a one-pound weight by one foot against the force of gravity.
- Calorie (cal): The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. There are two common definitions: the small calorie (cal) and the large calorie or kilocalorie (kcal), where 1 kcal = 1000 cal.
- British Thermal Unit (BTU): The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. It is commonly used in the United States for heating and cooling applications.
- Watt-hour (Wh): A unit of energy equivalent to one watt of power expended for one hour. It is commonly used in the context of electrical energy consumption.
- Horsepower-hour (HPh): A unit of energy often used in the context of mechanical power. It represents the energy output of one horsepower over one hour.
- Speed of Light (c): A fundamental physical constant representing the speed at which electromagnetic waves, including light, propagate through a vacuum. It is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second.
Understanding the relationships between these units and being able to convert between them is crucial in various scientific and engineering applications. Conversion factors can be used to convert energy from one unit to another, facilitating communication and analysis across different fields and systems.