One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton
A one-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton is a hydrogen nucleus travelling through space with a kinetic energy of 1 GeV.
Also known as: 1 GeV proton
How big is it?
1.602 × 10⁻¹⁰ J of energy
Energy per proton · exact conversion
A little perspective
About 56.8 times the released energy per reaction of Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy.
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy: Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy is the amount of energy released when a deuterium nucleus fuses with a tritium nucleus, producing a neutron and an alpha particle.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton
A proton energy of exactly 1 GeV converts to 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁰ J using the exact SI electronvolt conversion. “Cosmic ray” describes the particle context, not an additional energy uncertainty.
NIST — 2022 CODATA fundamental constants
The marked energy per proton is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy
One D–T fusion reaction releases about 17.6 MeV, or 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J, shared mainly by a neutron and an alpha particle. This is per reaction, not reactor output.
IAEA — Deuterium–tritium fusion
The marked released energy per reaction is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁰ J
For comparison, this page uses energy per proton. The record labels this value exact conversion, so the stated convention rather than an inferred average controls the comparison.
A proton energy of exactly 1 GeV converts to 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁰ J using the exact SI electronvolt conversion. “Cosmic ray” describes the particle context, not an additional energy uncertainty.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁰ J | Not recorded | exact conversion |
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Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NIST — 2022 CODATA fundamental constantsRecommended constants with uncertainties; exact SI definitions are distinguished from measured constants.
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