ScienceJuly 16, 2026

angstrom

/ˈæŋstrəm/

Definition

A unit of length equal to one ten-billionth of a meter, commonly used in science to measure atomic-scale distances.

Etymology

The term is named after Anders Jonas Ångström, a 19th-century Swedish physicist and pioneer in spectroscopy. The name was adopted into English to honor his contributions to the measurement of wavelengths of light.

In the news

In the article, the angstrom is used to describe the tiny distance the layer of floating electrons extends beyond the catalyst's surface. This scale highlights the microscopic precision involved in the material's chemical structure.

Ru/BaSiN2:O: an air-stable catalyst powered by floating electrons

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