Meter to Picometer Converter (m to pm)
Instantly convert between meters and picometers using this precise tool. Essential for scientific research, nanotechnology, and academic applications. 100% free with no registration required.
Conversion Formula
1 meter (m) = 1,000,000,000,000 picometers (pm)
To convert meters to picometers:
picometers = meters × 1,000,000,000,000
Example: 0.000000002 m × 1,000,000,000,000 = 2,000 pm
Meter to Picometer Conversion Table
| Meters (m) | Picometers (pm) |
|---|---|
| 0.0000000001 m | 100 pm |
| 0.0000000005 m | 500 pm |
| 0.000000001 m | 1,000 pm |
| 0.000000002 m | 2,000 pm |
| 0.000000005 m | 5,000 pm |
| 0.00000001 m | 10,000 pm |
| 0.0000001 m | 100,000 pm |
| 0.000001 m | 1,000,000 pm |
| 0.00001 m | 10,000,000 pm |
| 0.0001 m | 100,000,000 pm |
| 0.001 m | 1,000,000,000 pm |
Practical Examples
- Atomic radius: 0.0000000001 m = 100 pm (typical radius of a hydrogen atom)
- Molecular bond length: 0.00000000074 m = 740 pm (C-C bond in ethane)
- Nanoparticle size: 0.00000001 m = 10,000 pm (small nanoparticle diameter)
Professional Applications
- Nanotechnology: Designing materials at the nanoscale
- Physics: Measuring atomic and subatomic distances
- Chemistry: Analyzing molecular structures
- Semiconductor manufacturing: Precision measurements for chip fabrication
Definition and Background
What is a Meter?
A meter (m) is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). It was originally defined in 1793 as:
- 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the North Pole
- Now defined by the speed of light (1/299,792,458 of a second)
What is a Picometer?
A picometer (pm) is a metric unit of length equal to one trillionth of a meter (10⁻¹² m). The name comes from:
- Italian “pico”: meaning small
- Greek “metron”: meaning measure
Metric System Hierarchy
| Unit | Symbol | Meters |
|---|---|---|
| Picometer | pm | 0.000000000001 m |
| Nanometer | nm | 0.000000001 m |
| Micrometer | µm | 0.000001 m |
| Millimeter | mm | 0.001 m |
| Centimeter | cm | 0.01 m |
| Meter | m | 1 m |
| Kilometer | km | 1,000 m |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I use picometers instead of meters?
Picometers are used for extremely small measurements, such as atomic and molecular scales, where meters are too large a unit for practical use.
How precise is picometer measurement?
Picometers offer extremely high precision, suitable for measurements at the atomic level, such as bond lengths or particle sizes.
What’s the history of the picometer?
Introduced as part of the metric system, the picometer derives from the Italian “pico” (small) and Greek “metron” (measure), standardized for nanoscale measurements.
Are picometers used worldwide?
Picometers are used globally in scientific research, particularly in fields like nanotechnology, physics, and chemistry, where the metric system is standard.