Science, Tech, Math › Science Converting Nanometers to Angstroms Worked Unit Conversion Example Problem Share Flipboard Email Print Photography by Jacqueline Foss/Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 30, 2018 This example problem demonstrates how to convert nanometers to angstroms. Nanometers (nm) and angstroms (Å) are both linear measurements used to express extremely small distances. Conversion Problem The spectra of the element mercury have a bright green line with a wavelength of 546.047 nm. What is the wavelength of this light in angstroms? Solution 1 nm = 10-9 m1 Å = 10-10 m Set up the conversion so the desired unit will be canceled out. In this case, we want angstroms to the remaining unit. wavelength in Å = (wavelength in nm) x (1 Å/10-10 m) x (10-9 m/1 nm)wavelength in Å = (wavelength in nm) x (10-9/10-10) Å/nm)wavelength in Å = (wavelength in nm) x (10 Å/nm)wavelength in Å = (546.047 x 10) Åwavelength in Å = 5460.47 Å Answer The green line in mercury's spectra has a wavelength of 5460.47 Å It may be easier to remember there are 10 angstroms in 1 nanometer. This would mean a conversion from nanometers to angstroms would mean moving the decimal place one place to the right. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Converting Nanometers to Angstroms." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/converting-nanometers-to-angstroms-608223. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Converting Nanometers to Angstroms. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/converting-nanometers-to-angstroms-608223 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Converting Nanometers to Angstroms." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/converting-nanometers-to-angstroms-608223 (accessed May 29, 2023). copy citation