Nanometer
Definition and meaning of Nanometer in chemistry.
A nanometer is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one billionth of a meter. It is commonly used to measure dimensions on an atomic or molecular scale, as well as the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
In more detail
Atoms and small molecules typically have diameters on the order of fractions of a nanometer. For example, a single carbon atom is roughly 0.15 nanometers across. In analytical chemistry and physics, the nanometer is the standard unit for specifying the wavelength of visible light and ultraviolet radiation. The visible spectrum spans approximately from 400 to 700 nanometers, dictating the colors we can perceive.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Conversion | 1 nm = 10^-9 meters |
| Application | Measuring atomic radii and light wavelengths |
The wavelength of red light emitted by a helium-neon laser is typically around 633 nanometers.
Frequently asked questions
How many nanometers are in a meter?
There are one billion (1,000,000,000) nanometers in a single meter.