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Angstrom
An angstrom is a unit of wavelength that is equal to 0.1
(one tenth) of a nanometer. A nanometer is a very tiny
unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter. A meter is
approximately 39 inches. Thus, an angrstom is one ten
billionth of a meter. Angstroms are used to express the
size of atoms (such as their arrangement in crystals), the
size of molecules, the lengths of bonds between
chemicals, and the length of microscopic organisms. An
atom is the smallest part of a substance that can exist
alone or in combination with something else. A molecule
is a combination of atoms.
The symbol for angstrom.
FEATURED BOOK: Classical Electromagnetic Radiation
Angstrom is also used to describe the size of electromagnetic radiation waves and the
size of parts that make up integrated circuits (types of electronic circuits).
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy absorbed and released by electrically
charged particles, which behave like waves as they travel through space. The human
eye can detect wavelengths between four and seven thousand angstroms.
Angstrom is often abbreviated as "A" with a small circle (known as a ring diacritic) above
the tip of the A. This is shown in the picture above. Angstrom was named after Anders
Jonas Angstrom, a Swedish physicist who lived from 1814-1874. The angstrom is a
widely recognized unit of measurement but is not part of the official International System
of Units (SI). Angstrom is also known as angstrom unit.
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