Angstrom To Nm Converter

What is an Angstrom to nm Converter?

An Angstrom to Nanometer (nm) Converter is a tool for translating measurements between two very small units of length. Both units are commonly used in physics, chemistry, and materials science to measure dimensions at the atomic and molecular level, such as atomic radii and the wavelengths of light.

• Angstrom (Å): A unit of length equal to 10^-10 meters. It is not an SI unit, but it is historically significant and still widely used in many scientific fields.
• Nanometer (nm): An SI unit of length equal to 10^-9 meters. It is the standard unit for nanotechnology and much of modern optics.

Since both units are metric-based, the conversion between them is a simple factor of 10.

How to Use the Angstrom to nm Converter

Our converter provides instant, bidirectional conversions.

1. Enter a value: Input a number into either the "Angstroms (Å)" or "Nanometers (nm)" field.
2. View the result: The other field will automatically update with the converted value.
3. Swap units: Click the swap button () to reverse the conversion direction.

The Conversion Formula

The conversion is based on the direct relationship between the two units.

$$ 1 \text{ nanometer} = 10 \text{ Angstroms} $$

The formulas are:

$$ \text{Nanometers} = \frac{\text{Angstroms}}{10} $$

$$ \text{Angstroms} = \text{Nanometers} \times 10 $$

Practical Example: Wavelength of Light

A physicist is studying the emission spectrum of sodium, which has a prominent yellow line at a wavelength of 589 nanometers (nm). An older textbook references this line in Angstroms.

• Known Value: 589 nm
• Calculation: Angstroms = 589 × 10 = 5890 Å
• Using the calculator: Entering "589" in the nanometers field instantly shows 5890 in the Angstroms field.

This conversion is essential for comparing data from different sources and eras. For other length conversions, you can use our Length Converter. For calculations involving light energy, the Frequency Wavelength Converter is a great tool.

Why This Conversion is Important

• Scientific Literature: It helps researchers interpret and compare data from older scientific papers that used Angstroms with modern work that uses nanometers.
• Crystallography: The Angstrom is a convenient unit for atomic bond lengths and lattice parameters, which are often around 1-2 Å.
• Nanotechnology: The nanometer is the fundamental unit for describing nanoscale structures and devices.

For more information on SI units, you can visit the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). For resources on optics and photonics, the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) is a leading organization.