Example 1
q = 1 C, U = 1 V -> W = 1 J.
Work in an electric field
Type q [C] and U [V]. The calculator computes W = q·U: 1 C and 1 V is 1 J, and 0.01 C and 230 V is 2.3 J. An electron at 1.5 V is 1.5 eV. Zero coulombs does not move a charge.
Potential: V = W/q. Field: E = F/q.
Result
Charge q (C) and Potential difference U (V). The result shows up here.
How it works
Work in an electric field is W = q U. At 1 C and 1 V you get 1 J. At 0.01 C and 230 V you get 2.3 J. At 2e-6 C and 12 V you get 0.000024 J. An electron q = −1.602176634e-19 C at 1.5 V: |W| = 1.5 eV. At 1000 V that is 1000 eV. The sign of q stays in the product.
The form has two fields: q in coulombs and U in volts. The result is in joules, eV beside it. 1 eV = 1.602176634·10⁻¹⁹ J. A comma, a period, and 2e-6 are the same q: 0,01 and 0.01.
q cannot be zero: there is nothing to move. Typed U = 0 gives W = 0. Both fields need a number before 2.3 J can appear. The sign of q matters: a negative charge flips the sign of W.
V = W/q is on the neighbouring page: the same relation, you want potential. E = F/q is force per charge, not work. W = F s is mechanics, same unit J, different inputs.
This calculator does not model a whole trajectory. It takes q and a potential difference U and multiplies.
Type 0.01 and 230, click Calculate, and match 2.3 J. The header symbol does not move charge. Treat the eV beside it as the same energy on another scale.
How to use
- In the first field enter q in coulombs, for example 0.01 or −1.602e-19 for an electron.
- In the second field enter U in volts, for example 230 or 1.5.
- Click Calculate. The calculator multiplies q by U. 0.01 C and 230 V give 2.3 J. eV sits beside it.
- q cannot be zero. U = 0 gives W = 0. Both fields need a number.
- For V = W/q, open potential. E = F/q is on field strength. Here it stays W.
Formula
W = q·U
q ≠ 0. U any finite value. Unit of W: joule. 1 eV = 1.602176634·10⁻¹⁹ J.
W, q, and U in the field
Work in the field here is W = q·U. 1 C and 1 V is 1 J. 0.01 C and 230 V is 2.3 J. An electron at 1.5 V is 1.5 eV.
- W
- Work [J]. 1 × 1 = 1 J. Beside it the calculator also reports eV at a small q.
- q
- Charge [C]. 1 C or 0.01 C. Zero coulombs is refused.
- U
- Potential difference [V]. 1 V or 230 V. Pair of V = W/q.
Real-life examples
Example 2
q = 2e-6 C, U = 12 V -> W = 0.000024 J.
Example 3
q = -1.602e-19 C, U = 1.5 V -> |W| = 1.5 eV.
Example 4
q = 0.01 C, U = 230 V -> W = 2.3 J.
Example 5
q = -1.602e-19 C, U = 1000 V -> |W| = 1000 eV.
Example 6
q = 5 C, U = 20 V -> W = 100 J.
Example 7
q = 0.002 C, U = 9 V -> W = 0.018 J.
Example 8
q = 0.001 C, U = 100 V -> W = 0.1 J.
Ways to use this calculator
- You compute 2.3 J from 0.01 C through 230 V.
- You check 1.5 eV for an electron at 1.5 V.
Frequently asked questions
How much W at 1 C and 1 V?
Work is 1 J. At 0.01 C and 230 V you get 2.3 J. At 2e-6 C and 12 V you get 0.000024 J.
Which units do I type?
Charge q [C], voltage U [V]. Result W [J] and also in eV. 1 eV = 1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ J.
Why will q = 0 not run?
There is nothing to move. q must be nonzero. Both fields need a number.
How is this different from V = W/q?
Same relation, different unknown. Here you want W. There potential V from work you already have.
How is this different from W = F·s?
Here charge and voltage. There force and path. Same unit W [J], different fields.
How much for an electron at 1.5 V?
The magnitude is 1.5 eV. At 1000 V it is 1000 eV. The sign of q stays in the product W = q U.
Does a comma in 0.01 C work?
Yes. 0.01 and 0,01 are the same q [C]. 2e-6 works too.
Can U be zero?
Yes. Then W = 0 J. q still cannot be zero, because the calculator refuses an empty charge.
Where is E = F/q?
On the field-strength page. Here work from q and U, not force on a test charge.
Does the sign of q matter?
Yes. A negative charge flips the sign of W. For an electron the page also shows |W| in eV.
Knowledge sources
The formula is the school one. Units follow SI; NIST SP 330 and BIPM define the measures, not your result.
Page updated in 2026.