Ångström

Definition

noun, plural: Ångströms (unit)

(1) A unit of length equal to 0.1 nanometer or 1×10⁻¹⁰ meters, mainly used for expressing sizes of atoms, lengths of chemical bonds, and wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

(2) (astronomy) A small impact crater on the moon named after Anders Jonas Ångström in his honor.

Supplement

In 1868, Anders Jonas Ångström created a spectrum chart of solar radiation where he expressed the wavelength of visible-light spectra in multiples of one ten-millionth of a millimeter (or 0.000,000,1 mm). This unit became known as Ångström unit. However, the nanometer is now more often used as a unit of length while Ångström is no longer as popular as it used to.

Apart from this unit, a lunar crater was also named after him. The crater is bowl-shaped, with a circular rim and inner walls that slope down to the small central floor.

Word origin: named after the Swedish physicist, Anders Jonas Ångström.

Symbol: Å

Abbreviation: A
Variants: Angstrom or angstrom
Also called: Ångström unit or angstrom unit

See also: nanometer, wavelength.

Related terms:

• Ångström Anders Jonas
• Angstrom scale