Electric Potential Converter
Convert between various units of electric potential (voltage), including volts, millivolts, kilovolts, and more.
Conversion Formulas
Volts to Millivolts:
Kilovolts to Volts:
Volts to Abvolts:
Statvolt to Volts:
Voltage Scale Visualization
Real-world Applications
Neural Signals
Action potentials in neurons operate at around 70-90 millivolts. These tiny voltage differences are crucial for nerve signaling.
Consumer Electronics
Modern smartphones typically operate with internal voltages between 3.7V (battery) and 1.8V or lower for processor cores.
Automotive Systems
Car electrical systems operate at 12V DC, while hybrid vehicles may use high-voltage systems of 400V or more for electric motors.
Power Grid
Long-distance power transmission lines operate at extremely high voltages (up to 765kV AC or ±800kV DC) to minimize energy losses.
Industrial Equipment
Industrial motors often run on 480V three-phase power in the US, providing more efficient power delivery for heavy machinery.
Medical Devices
Defibrillators deliver a controlled electric shock of around 1,000-2,000V to reset the heart's electrical activity during cardiac emergencies.
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1: How many volts are in 2.5 kilovolts?
Answer: 2,500 volts
Conversion: kV × 1,000 = V, so 2.5 × 1,000 = 2,500
Question 2: If a circuit requires 500 millivolts, what is this value in volts?
Answer: 0.5 volts
Conversion: mV ÷ 1,000 = V, so 500 ÷ 1,000 = 0.5
Question 3: Using Ohm's Law, what voltage is needed to push 2 amperes through a 6 ohm resistor?
Answer: 12 volts
Using V = I × R: 2A × 6Ω = 12V
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About Electric Potential Units
Electric potential, commonly known as voltage, is the amount of work needed to move a unit of electric charge from a reference point to a specific point against an electric field. The SI unit of electric potential is the volt (V), which is defined as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge.
Common Electric Potential Units
- Volt (V): The SI unit of electric potential. One volt is defined as the potential difference across a conductor when a current of one ampere dissipates one watt of power.
- Millivolt (mV): Equal to 10-3 volts. Commonly used in electronics and biomedical applications for small potential differences.
- Microvolt (μV): Equal to 10-6 volts. Used in sensitive electronics and scientific measurements.
- Kilovolt (kV): Equal to 103 volts. Used in power distribution and high-voltage applications.
- Megavolt (MV): Equal to 106 volts. Used in high-energy physics and some power transmission systems.
- Abvolt (abV): A unit in the CGS electromagnetic system, equal to 10-8 volts.
- Statvolt (statV): A unit in the CGS electrostatic system, equal to approximately 299.8 volts.
Ohm's Law
A fundamental relationship in electrical engineering that relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R):
Where V is in volts, I is in amperes, and R is in ohms.
Common Voltage Levels
| Application | Typical Voltage Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nerve cell signals | -70 to +30 mV | Action potentials in biology |
| Digital electronics | 1.8 to 5 V | Logic levels in integrated circuits |
| Batteries (AA, AAA) | 1.5 V | Standard alkaline cells |
| Car battery | 12 V | Lead-acid automotive battery |
| Household electricity (US) | 120 V AC | Standard wall outlet |
| Household electricity (Europe) | 230 V AC | Standard wall outlet |
| Power distribution lines | 4 kV to 33 kV | Local distribution |
| High-voltage transmission | 100 kV to 1 MV | Long-distance power transmission |
| Lightning | 100 MV to 1 GV | Natural electrical discharge |
Electric Potential Applications
- Power Generation and Distribution: Electricity is generated at specific voltages and transformed for efficient transmission over long distances.
- Electronics: Different components in electronic circuits operate at specific voltage levels. Voltage regulators and converters are used to provide the required voltages.
- Batteries and Energy Storage: Batteries provide specific voltages depending on their chemistry and design.
- Medical Equipment: Devices like ECG machines measure small voltage changes (millivolts) in the heart's electrical activity.
- Electrostatics: High voltages (kilovolts) are used in applications like electrostatic precipitators for air pollution control.
- Scientific Research: Precise voltage measurements and control are essential in physics, chemistry, and materials science.
Electric Potential Energy
The potential energy (PE) of a charge (q) in an electric field is related to the electric potential (V) by:
Where PE is in joules, q is in coulombs, and V is in volts.