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1 decimeter (dm) = 100000 micron (µ). Decimeter (dm) is a unit of Length used in Metric system. Micron (µ) is a unit of Length used in Metric system.

Decimeter: A Unit of Length Used in the Metric System

The decimeter (dm) is a unit of length in the metric system, which is the most widely used system of measurement in the world. The decimeter is equal to one tenth of a meter, which is the SI base unit of length. The decimeter is also a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI), which is the official system of measurement for science and engineering. The symbol for decimeter is dm. The decimeter is used for measuring medium distances and dimensions, such as the height of a bookshelf or the width of a door. The decimeter is also used for measuring volumes, such as the volume of a cube or a box. The decimeter is named after the deci prefix, which means one tenth in Latin. In this article, we will explore the definition, history, usage and conversion of the decimeter as a unit of length.

Definition of Decimeter

The decimeter is a unit of length that is equal to one tenth of a meter. It is defined as 1/10 meters. The meter is defined as the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299792458 seconds.

The definition of the decimeter has not changed since its introduction by the French Academy of Sciences in 1795, as part of the decimal metric system that was adopted after the French Revolution. However, the definition of the meter has changed several times over time, as different standards and methods of measurement were developed by various countries and organizations. The current definition of the meter as based on the speed of light was agreed upon by an international treaty in 1983.

History of Decimeter

The origin of the decimeter as a unit of length can be traced back to 1795, when the French Academy of Sciences proposed a new system of measurement that was based on decimal fractions and natural constants. The system was called the metric system, and it was intended to replace the old and diverse systems of measurement that were used in France and other countries at that time. The metric system was designed to be simple, universal and rational.

The base unit of length in the metric system was the meter, which was defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian through Paris. The meter was divided into ten decimeters, each decimeter into ten centimeters, and each centimeter into ten millimeters. The prefixes deci, centi and milli indicated that they were one tenth, one hundredth and one thousandth of a meter respectively.

The metric system was officially adopted by France in 1799, and gradually spread to other countries over the next century. In 1875, an international treaty called the Metre Convention was signed by 17 countries to establish a common standard for measuring length and mass. The treaty also established an international organization called the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) to maintain and improve the metric system.

In 1889, a new standard for the meter was created by using a platinum-iridium bar that was kept at BIPM. This bar was called the International Prototype Metre, and it was divided into ten equal parts to make standard decimeters. The bar was also compared with other national standards to ensure accuracy and consistency.

In 1960, an international conference called the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) adopted a new system of measurement called the International System of Units (SI), which was based on seven base units that could be derived from physical constants. The meter was redefined as 1,650,763.73 wavelengths of light emitted by a krypton-86 atom in a vacuum. The decimeter remained as a derived unit in SI, but it was no longer recommended for use in scientific and technical fields.

In 1983, another CGPM conference redefined the meter again as the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299792458 seconds. This definition was based on the speed of light, which is a universal constant that can be measured with high precision. The decimeter also changed accordingly to reflect this new definition.

Usage of Decimeter

The decimeter is a unit of length that is used for measuring medium distances and dimensions, such as the height of a bookshelf or the width of a door. The decimeter is also used for measuring volumes, such as the volume of a cube or a box.

The decimeter is commonly used in everyday life, especially in countries that follow the metric system. Some examples are:

• Measuring the dimensions of furniture and appliances.
• Measuring the size of books and magazines.
• Measuring the capacity of containers and bottles.
• Measuring the depth of water and soil.
• Measuring the distance between objects and landmarks.

The decimeter is also used in some scientific and technical fields, such as:

• Measuring the diameter and circumference of circles and cylinders.
• Measuring the volume and surface area of solids and liquids.
• Measuring the density and specific gravity of substances.
• Measuring the pressure and temperature of gases and fluids.
• Measuring the focal length and magnification of lenses and mirrors.

How to Convert Decimeter

The decimeter can be converted to other units of length by using conversion factors or formulas. Here are some examples of how to convert decimeters to other units of length in the SI system, the US customary system and other systems:

• To convert decimeters to centimeters, multiply by 10. For example, 10 dm = 10 × 10 = 100 cm.
• To convert decimeters to meters, divide by 10. For example, 10 dm = 10 / 10 = 1 m.
• To convert decimeters to kilometers, divide by 10000. For example, 10 dm = 10 / 10000 = 0.001 km.
• To convert decimeters to inches, multiply by 3.937. For example, 10 dm = 10 × 3.937 = 39.37 in.
• To convert decimeters to feet, multiply by 0.328. For example, 10 dm = 10 × 0.328 = 3.28 ft.

Micron: A Unit of Length

A micron is a unit of length that is equal to one millionth of a meter. It is also known as a micrometer or a micrometre. The symbol for micron is µm.

How to Convert Micron

To convert micron to other units of length, we need to use some conversion factors. Here are some common conversion factors for US Standard system and SI system:

• 1 inch = 25,400 µm
• 1 foot = 304,800 µm
• 1 mile = 1,609,344,000 µm
• 1 centimeter = 10,000 µm
• 1 meter = 1,000,000 µm
• 1 kilometer = 1,000,000,000 µm

Using these conversion factors, we can multiply or divide the number of microns by the appropriate factor to get the equivalent length in another unit. For example:

• To convert 50 µm to inches, we divide 50 by 25,400 and get 0.00197 inches.
• To convert 3 feet to microns, we multiply 3 by 304,800 and get 914,400 µm.

Where Micron is Used

The micron is used in various fields and applications that require measuring very small distances or sizes. Some examples are:

• In biology and medicine, the micron is used to measure the size of cells, bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic organisms.
• In engineering and manufacturing, the micron is used to measure the thickness of films, coatings, wires, fibers, and other materials.
• In astronomy and optics, the micron is used to measure the wavelength of infrared light and the resolution of telescopes and cameras.
• In geology and mineralogy, the micron is used to measure the grain size of rocks and minerals.
• In chemistry and physics, the micron is used to measure the diameter of atoms and molecules.

The use of micron varies by country and region. For example:

• In the United States and Canada, the micron is commonly used in engineering and manufacturing industries.
• In Europe and Asia, the micron is widely used in science and technology fields.
• In Australia and New Zealand, the micron is often used in agriculture and forestry sectors.

Definition of the Micron

The micron is defined as one millionth of a meter. A meter is the base unit of length in the SI system. The SI system is an international system of units that is based on seven fundamental quantities: length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, luminous intensity, and amount of substance.

The meter was originally defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian. However, this definition was not very precise and practical. Therefore, over time, the definition of the meter has changed several times based on different physical constants and standards. The current definition of the meter was adopted in 1983 by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM). It states that:

The meter is the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299792458 second.

Using this definition, we can derive that one micron is equal to:

1 µm = (1/299792458) / (1000000) second * (299792458 m / second)

= (1/1000000) m

= 0.000001 m

History of Micron

The micron was first introduced in the late 18th century by French scientists who were developing a decimal system of units. They proposed a unit called micrometre that was equal to one millionth of a meter. However, this unit was not widely accepted or used at that time.

In the early 19th century, British scientists adopted a similar unit called microinch that was equal to one millionth of an inch. This unit was more popular among English-speaking countries and regions.

In the late 19th century, German scientists proposed a new unit called mikrometer that was also equal to one millionth of a meter. This unit was more consistent with the metric system and became more widely used in Europe and Asia.

In the early 20th century, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) recommended using the term micrometer instead of micron or mikrometer to avoid confusion with other units. However, many people still preferred using micron as a shorter and simpler name.

In 1960, the CGPM adopted the SI system as the official system of units for science and technology. The SI system used the term micrometer as the official name for the unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter. The symbol for micrometer was also standardized as µm.

However, the term micron and its symbol µ were still widely used in many fields and applications. Therefore, in 1975, the CGPM decided to allow the use of micron and µ as alternative names and symbols for micrometer and µm. However, they also stated that these alternatives should be avoided in official documents and publications.

Example Conversions of Micron to Other Units

Here are some examples of converting micron to other units of length:

• 1 µm = 0.000001 m
• 1 µm = 0.001 mm
• 1 µm = 0.00003937 inch
• 1 µm = 0.000003281 foot
• 1 µm = 0.000000001 km
• 1 µm = 0.0000006214 mile
• 1 µm = 1000 nm