To convert electronvolts (eV) to Joules, what must you multiply by?

To convert electronvolts (eV) to Joules, you need to recognize that an electronvolt is defined as the amount of energy gained by an electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt. The energy in joules can be found using the relationship between charge and energy.

The energy value of one electronvolt is equivalent to the charge of an electron multiplied by the potential difference (in volts). Specifically, since the charge of an electron is approximately (1.602 \times 10^{-19}) coulombs, multiplying this charge by one volt gives you the energy in joules. Therefore, to convert eV to J, you multiply the number of electronvolts by the charge of an electron.

This relationship reflects the fundamental connection between electrical potential energy and charge, illustrating how much energy an electron possesses in an electric field. Thus, the correct factor to multiply by when converting electronvolts to joules is indeed the charge of an electron.