angstrom

angstrom (ăng'strum) [key], abbr. Å, unit of length equal to 10^-10 meter (0.0000000001 meter); it is used to measure the wavelengths of visible light and of other forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation and X rays. Scientists now prefer to use the nanometer (nm); 1 nm=10 Å. The angstrom is named in honor of Swedish physicist Anders J. Ångström.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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