Angstrom to Cable Length Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert angstroms to cable lengths with our free online length converter.
Angstrom to Cable Length Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Angstrom).
- The converted value in Cable Length will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Angstrom to Cable Length
Converting Angstrom to Cable Length involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Angstrom = 5.3996e-13 cable lengthsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 angstroms: 10 × 5.3996e-13 = 5.3996e-12 cable lengths
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Angstrom and a Cable Length?
The Angstrom (symbol Å) is a non-SI unit of length equal to exactly 10⁻¹⁰ meters (one ten-billionth of a meter) or 0.1 nanometers (nm). While not part of the modern International System of Units (SI), it remains widely used in various scientific fields due to its convenient scale for atomic and molecular dimensions. It provides a direct way to express sizes at the sub-nanometer level without resorting to fractions or powers of ten for nanometers.
A Cable Length (symbol cb), often shortened to cable, is a nautical unit of length, traditionally related to the length of a ship's anchor cable. While its exact length has varied historically and geographically, it is now most commonly defined internationally as one-tenth of a nautical mile (1/10 NM).
This standard definition equates to:
- 185.2 meters (m)
- Approximately 607.61 feet (ft)
- Approximately 202.54 yards (yd)
Other historical definitions based on the fathom also exist.
Note: The Angstrom is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Cable Length belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Angstrom and Cable Length
The Angstrom unit is named after the Swedish physicist Anders Jonas Ångström (1814–1874), one of the founders of the science of spectroscopy. Ångström used this unit in 1868 to create a chart of the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation in sunlight, expressing them as multiples of 10⁻¹⁰ meters. This scale proved extremely convenient for expressing atomic radii, chemical bond lengths, and the wavelengths of X-rays. Although the nanometer (nm) and picometer (pm) are the preferred SI units for these scales today, the Angstrom's historical prevalence means it persists in many scientific disciplines, particularly in crystallography, atomic physics, and chemistry literature.
The unit originated from the practical length of a ship's anchor cable (or "shot" of chain) used in the age of sail. Anchor cables were typically manufactured in standard lengths that could be shackled together. This length provided a convenient unit for measuring distances related to anchoring and maneuvering close to shore or other vessels.
However, the length was not universally standardized:
- In the British Royal Navy, a cable was traditionally defined as 100 fathoms (equivalent to 600 feet or 182.88 meters).
- In the U.S. Navy, it was often defined as 120 fathoms (equivalent to 720 feet or 219.456 meters).
With the international adoption of the nautical mile (defined as 1852 meters), defining the cable as exactly one-tenth of this value (185.2 m) created a convenient, decimal-based relationship and became the most common modern standard, sometimes referred to as the "international cable length".
Common Uses for angstroms and cable lengths
Explore the typical applications for both Angstrom (imperial/US) and Cable Length (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for angstroms
The Angstrom is frequently used to measure dimensions at the atomic scale:
- Atomic Radii: Expressing the size of atoms (e.g., the covalent radius of a carbon atom is about 0.77 Å).
- Chemical Bond Lengths: Measuring the distance between nuclei in molecules (e.g., the O-H bond length in water is about 0.96 Å).
- Crystallography: Describing the dimensions of crystal lattices and the spacing between atomic planes, often determined using X-ray diffraction.
- Spectroscopy: Specifying the wavelengths of X-rays and some ultraviolet light.
- Microscopy: Measuring features in electron microscopy images.
- Integrated Circuits: Sometimes used historically or informally to describe feature sizes in semiconductor manufacturing, although nanometers are now standard.
Common Uses for cable lengths
The cable length, particularly the 1/10 NM definition, remains in use in specific maritime contexts:
- Nautical Navigation & Ship Handling: Measuring short distances at sea, such as the distance between ships in formation, distance off a navigational hazard, distance to a pier, estimating anchor drag, or describing the scope (length) of anchor cable paid out.
- Hydrographic Surveying: Historically used on nautical charts, although meters are now the primary international standard for depth and short distances on modern charts.
- Naval Terminology: Persists in naval traditions and communications for describing close ranges.
- Historical Context: Encountered in older maritime texts, logs, charts, and naval records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Angstrom (Å)
How many Angstroms are in a meter?
There are 10,000,000,000 (ten billion) Angstroms in one meter (1 m = 10¹⁰ Å). Conversely, 1 Angstrom = 10⁻¹⁰ meters.
How many Angstroms are in a nanometer?
There are exactly 10 Angstroms (Å) in one nanometer (nm). Therefore, 1 Å = 0.1 nm.
Is the Angstrom an SI unit?
No, the Angstrom is not part of the International System of Units (SI). The official SI unit for length at this scale is the nanometer (nm) (10⁻⁹ m) or the picometer (pm) (10⁻¹² m). 1 Å = 100 pm.
Why is the Angstrom still used if it's not an SI unit?
The Angstrom persists due to historical convention and its convenient size for atomic-scale measurements. Many scientific fields, like crystallography and atomic physics, developed using the Angstrom, and much historical data and literature use it. Its scale (0.1 nm) often allows for expressing atomic dimensions as numbers close to unity without decimals or exponents, which can be convenient.
What fields commonly use Angstroms?
The Angstrom remains common in:
- Crystallography: Describing crystal structures and diffraction patterns.
- Atomic Physics: Measuring atomic radii and energy level transitions.
- Chemistry: Specifying molecular bond lengths and structures.
- Spectroscopy: Particularly for X-ray wavelengths.
- Materials Science: Characterizing thin films and nanostructures.
- Structural Biology: Describing protein and nucleic acid structures.
About Cable Length (cb)
What are the different values for a cable length?
The value depends on the definition being used:
- International Standard: 1 cable = 1/10 nautical mile = 185.2 meters ≈ 607.61 feet. (Most common modern definition)
- British Traditional: 1 cable = 100 fathoms = 182.88 meters = 600 feet.
- US Traditional: 1 cable = 120 fathoms = 219.456 meters = 720 feet.
Always clarify which definition is intended if precision is critical, though the 1/10 NM version is generally assumed today unless otherwise specified.
How many meters are in a standard cable length?
The internationally recognized standard cable length is exactly 185.2 meters.
How many feet are in a standard cable length?
The internationally recognized standard cable length is approximately 607.61 feet. The traditional British cable was 600 ft, and the traditional US cable was 720 ft.
Is the cable length related to the nautical mile?
Yes, the most common modern definition establishes a direct relationship: 1 cable length = 1/10 nautical mile.
Is the cable length an SI unit?
No, the cable length is not an SI unit. It is a traditional nautical unit derived from maritime practice and later linked to the nautical mile. The corresponding SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the cable length still used today?
Yes, while meters and nautical miles are standard for most navigation, the cable length (especially the 1/10 NM definition) is still actively used in specific maritime applications like anchoring, close maneuvering, naval operations, and sometimes in recreational boating contexts. It serves as a convenient subdivision of the nautical mile.
Conversion Table: Angstrom to Cable Length
| Angstrom (Å) | Cable Length (cb) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 500 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Millimeter (mm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Parsec (pc)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Mil/Thou (mil)
- Fathom (fath)
- Furlong (fur)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)