This article will show how to convert voltage measurement units from nanovolts (nV) to gigavolts (GV). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Volt, Nanovolt, and Gigavolt
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Volt (V), Nanovolt (nV), and Gigavolt (GV). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
What is Volt (V)?
A volt (V) is the SI (International System of Units) unit of electric potential and voltage. It measures the difference in electric energy between two points in a circuit. One volt means one ampere of current uses one watt of power.[1]
According to SI prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 10, a volt (1 V) is equivalent to one billion nanovolts, or 109 nV, or 1,000,000,000 nV.
What is Nanovolt (nV)?
A nanovolt (nV) is a unit of electrical potential equal to one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of a volt (10-9 V). It is primarily used in high-precision electrical measurements, such as scientific instrumentation, quantum electronics, and sensitive signal detection, where extremely small voltage variations must be accurately captured and analyzed.
Its ultra-small scale makes it essential for applications requiring minimal interference and precise voltage control.
What is Gigavolt (GV)?
A gigavolt (GV) is a unit of electrical potential equal to one billion volts (1,000,000,000 V). This measurement is used in applications involving extreme voltage levels that standard voltage units cannot effectively represent.
nV to GV formula
Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.
The nano- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10-9 (0.000000001) while the giga- represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000).
So, to convert from nanovolts to gigavolts, divide the number of nanovolts (V(nV)) by 1018 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000.
V(GV) = V(nV) ÷ 1018 = V(nV) ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000
Or remember the nV-to-GV conversion factor: 1 nV = 10-18 = 0.000000000000000001 GV
nV to GV conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting voltage measurement units from nanovolts (nV) to gigavolts (GV). It covers a range from 0.1 nV to 1,000 nV, allowing for easy and quick conversions between both units of measurement.
| Nanovolts (nV) | Gigavolts (GV) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 nV | 0.0000000000000000001 GV |
| 0.5 nV | 0.0000000000000000005 GV |
| 1 nV | 0.000000000000000001 GV |
| 2 nV | 0.000000000000000002 GV |
| 4 nV | 0.000000000000000004 GV |
| 5 nV | 0.000000000000000005 GV |
| 10 nV | 0.00000000000000001 GV |
| 20 nV | 0.00000000000000002 GV |
| 30 nV | 0.00000000000000003 GV |
| 40 nV | 0.00000000000000004 GV |
| 50 nV | 0.00000000000000005 GV |
| 60 nV | 0.00000000000000006 GV |
| 70 nV | 0.00000000000000007 GV |
| 80 nV | 0.00000000000000008 GV |
| 90 nV | 0.00000000000000009 GV |
| 100 nV | 0.0000000000000001 GV |
| 200 nV | 0.0000000000000002 GV |
| 500 nV | 0.0000000000000005 GV |
| 800 nV | 0.0000000000000008 GV |
| 1,000 nV | 0.000000000000001 GV |
Examples
Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from nanovolts to gigavolts (nV to GV).
Example: High-Energy Particle Research
Physicists working with nuclear reactions measure low-energy variations in nanovolts, but energy outputs must be expressed in gigavolts for accurate scaling in experiments.
If a nuclear experiment detects 4,200,000,000,000,000 nanovolts, how many gigavolts is that for modeling reaction energy levels?
Solution
Since 1 gigavolts (GV) = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nanovolts (nV), we can convert 4,200,000,000,000,000,000 (4.2 × 1018) nV to gigavolts by using the following formula:
Therefore, the 4,200,000,000,000,000,000 nV output voltage of the experiment is equivalent to 4.2 GV.
To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:
- Enter the value in nanovolts – For this example, enter
4,200,000,000,000,000,000into theFrombox. - View the result – The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in gigavolts:
4.2 GV.
FAQs
Is 1 nanovolt or 1 gigavolt larger?
A gigavolt (GV) is a quintillion times bigger than a nanovolt (nV). Here are the relationships between the units:
1 GV = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV1 nV = 10-18 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000000000001 GV
How to convert from nanovolts to gigavolts?
To convert voltage from nanovolts (nV) to gigavolts (GV), follow these simple steps:
- Write down the voltage value in
nanovolts (nV). - Multiply it by the value of the
nV-to-GVconversion factor:10-18or0.000000000000000001. - The result of the multiplication is the value of the voltage in
gigavolts (GV).
Why do I need to convert from nanovolts to gigavolts?
Nanovolts (nV) represent extremely small voltage values, while gigavolts (GV) are used in large-scale electrical applications like lightning research, high-energy physics, and industrial power systems. Converting from nanovolts to gigavolts helps standardize measurements when working with massive voltage differences across different scientific and engineering fields.
This conversion simplifies data analysis, ensures compatibility with high-voltage systems, and makes calculations more practical. Whether studying electrical phenomena, optimizing power transmission, or modeling extreme voltage events, using gigavolts instead of nanovolts allows for clearer comparisons and more efficient processing of large-scale voltage data.
You now know how to convert voltage from nanovolts (nV) to gigavolts (GV). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the voltage measurement units to save time for future calculations.
