One angstrom is equal to ________.

A. 10^{-12}m

B. 10^{-10}m

C. the time taken by Neil Armstrong to reach the moon

D. the distance travelled by Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon

One angstrom is equal to 10^{-10} meters, which corresponds to option B. To understand why this is the correct answer, let’s delve into what an angstrom is and its significance in the scientific community.

What is an Angstrom?

An angstrom (symbol: Å) is a unit of length that is commonly used to measure extremely small distances, particularly in the fields of physics and chemistry. It is particularly useful for expressing atomic and molecular dimensions.

Understanding the Scale

To put an angstrom into perspective, consider the following:

• 1 angstrom = 0.1 nanometers (nm)
• 1 nanometer = 10^{-9} meters
• Therefore, 1 angstrom = 10^{-10} meters

Applications of Angstroms

Angstroms are often used to describe the sizes of atoms, the wavelengths of X-rays, and the distances between atoms in a crystal lattice. For example, the typical bond length between two atoms in a molecule is usually on the order of 1 to 2 angstroms.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Let’s briefly analyze the other options to clarify why they do not represent the correct answer:

• A. 10^{-12}m: This is a picometer, which is even smaller than an angstrom and is not the correct conversion.
• C. the time taken by Neil Armstrong to reach the moon: This option is irrelevant as it refers to time, not a unit of distance.
• D. the distance travelled by Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon: While this could be a measurable distance, it does not relate to the specific unit of an angstrom.

In Summary

In conclusion, an angstrom is a very small unit of measurement equal to 10^{-10} meters, making option B the correct choice. Understanding such small scales is crucial in fields like nanotechnology, materials science, and molecular biology, where the dimensions of structures can be on the order of angstroms.