An electron volt is the energy gained by an electron when it moves through a potential difference of

Explanation

Since energy is charge multiplied by potential difference, one electron volt equals 1.6 times 10 to the minus 19 joules, the magnitude of the electronic charge in coulombs. The unit is convenient because joules are absurdly large for single particles. Electron volts and their multiples are the standard currency of atomic and nuclear physics.