To express 1 k_BT in units of eV, we first need to clarify what k_BT means. The term k_BT represents the thermal energy associated with each atom at a given temperature (T). Here, k_B is the Boltzmann constant, which has a value of approximately 1.38064852 × 10^-23 J/K.
At room temperature (T = 300 K), the thermal energy is calculated as:
1 k_BT = k_B × T = (1.38064852 × 10^-23 J/K) × (300 K) = 4.14194556 × 10^-21 J.
Now, to convert this energy value from joules (J) to electronvolts (eV), we use the conversion factor where 1 eV = 1.60218 × 10^-19 J. To convert joules to eV, we divide the energy in joules by the conversion factor:
1 k_BT in eV = (4.14194556 × 10^-21 J) / (1.60218 × 10^-19 J/eV) ≈ 0.0258 eV.
Thus, at room temperature, 1 k_BT corresponds to approximately 0.0258 eV. This value provides an insight into the average thermal energy per particle in a material at typical conditions.