picometer
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A unit of length in the metric system equal to one trillionth (1 x 10⁻¹²) of a meter. It is used for measuring atomic-scale distances, such as the sizes of atoms and the spacing between atoms in a crystal lattice.
Usage
The word "picometer" is a specific, scientific term. It functions as a countable noun and is typically used with a number or determiner to specify a measurement. It is most common in fields like physics, chemistry, and materials science.
Examples
- The diameter of a hydrogen atom is approximately 50 to 100 picometers.
- The bond length between the two carbon atoms was measured at 154 picometers.
- This advanced microscope has a resolution of a few picometers.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often abbreviated as pm. For example, "The lattice constant is 565 pm."
- It is part of the International System of Units (SI). Other SI prefixes for sub-multiples of the meter include nanometer (nm, 10⁻⁹ m) and femtometer (fm, 10⁻¹⁵ m).
Variants and Related Words
- Picometre: The British English spelling variant.
- Picometric (adj): Relating to or measured in picometers. (e.g., picometric precision).
Synonyms
- There are no direct common-language synonyms. In scientific contexts, it can be described as:
- A trillionth of a meter.
- A sub-nanometer unit.
Notes on Different Meanings
The word "picometer" has only one specific meaning as a unit of measurement. It does not have idiomatic or figurative uses.
Noun
- a metric unit of length equal to one trillionth of a meter