Picometer: meaning, definitions and examples
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picometer
[ ˈpɪkəˌmiːtə(r) ]
unit of measurement
A picometer is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one trillionth of a meter (10^-12 meters). It is often used in the fields of physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to measure extremely small distances, such as atomic and molecular scales.
Examples of usage
- The diameter of a hydrogen atom is about 53 picometers.
- In nanotechnology, features are often measured in picometers to ensure precision.
- The bond lengths in a molecular compound can vary from 100 to 200 picometers.
Translations
Translations of the word "picometer" in other languages:
🇵🇹 picómetro
🇮🇳 पिकोमीटर
🇩🇪 Picometer
🇮🇩 pikometer
🇺🇦 пикометр
🇵🇱 pikometr
🇯🇵 ピコメートル
🇫🇷 picomètre
🇪🇸 picómetro
🇹🇷 pikometre
🇰🇷 피코미터
🇸🇦 بيكومتر
🇨🇿 pikometr
🇸🇰 pikometr
🇨🇳 皮米
🇸🇮 pikometer
🇮🇸 píkómetri
🇰🇿 пикометр
🇬🇪 პიკომეტრი
🇦🇿 pikometr
🇲🇽 picómetro
Etymology
The term ‘picometer’ is a combination of the prefix ‘pico-’, which originates from the Spanish word ‘pico’ meaning ‘small’ or ‘peak’, and the meter, which is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). The prefix ‘pico-’ was officially adopted in 1960 during the 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) to denote a factor of 10^-12, making it prevalent in scientific measurements. As advancements in technology have allowed scientists to probe even smaller scales, the use of the picometer has become essential in disciplines such as quantum physics and atomic-level engineering. Thus, the picometer has established itself as a fundamental unit in scientific literature, aiding in the precision measurement of atomic and subatomic structures.