Definition

1. Noun:
   • A unit of length: An angstrom is a metric unit of length equal to one ten-billionth of a meter (10⁻¹⁰ m). It is primarily used to measure atomic-scale distances and the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light and X-rays.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The bond length between the two atoms is approximately 1.5 angstroms.
  • Visible light has wavelengths ranging from about 4000 to 7000 angstroms.
  • Scientists often use the angstrom unit when describing crystal structures.

Advanced Usage

• "Angstrom unit": A fuller, though less common, name for the unit, emphasizing it as a unit of measurement.
  • The spacing of the lattice was measured in angstrom units.

Variants and Related Words

• Ångström: The original Swedish spelling, often used in scientific literature. The unit is named after the Swedish physicist Anders Jonas Ångström.
  • The symbol for the unit is Å, derived from Ångström's name.
• Angstrom (symbol: Å): The standard symbol used in scientific notation.
  • The wavelength was 5890 Å.

Synonyms

• Tenth-meter: An older, descriptive synonym (one ten-billionth of a meter is one tenth of a nanometer).
• 0.1 nm: A numerical equivalent (one angstrom equals 0.1 nanometers).

Notes on Meaning

• The angstrom is not an official SI unit but is widely accepted for use in fields like chemistry, physics, and crystallography due to its convenient scale for atomic dimensions.
• While its use has been partly supplanted by the nanometer (nm) in some contexts, the angstrom remains a standard unit in specific technical applications.

Noun

1. a metric unit of length equal to one ten billionth of a meter (or 0.0001 micron); used to specify wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation