Convert Attometer to Petameter
Convert attometers to petameters instantly. 1 attometer = 1e-33 petameter — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Petameter to Attometer converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Attometer
An attometer is a metric unit of length equal to one quintillionth of a meter (1×10⁻¹⁸ m). It is among the smallest length units in the SI system and is used almost exclusively in particle physics and theoretical work involving sub-nuclear dimensions.
The attometer was defined using the SI prefix atto- (from Danish atten, meaning eighteen), adopted by the Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) in 1964 to denote one quintillionth (10⁻¹⁸).
Attometers appear in particle physics literature when describing distances comparable to or smaller than nuclear dimensions, including the range of weak nuclear interactions and theoretical Planck-scale ratios. They are rarely encountered outside specialised scientific work.
SI prefix atto- adopted in 1964; the attometer became the standard unit for sub-femtometer measurements in high-energy physics from the late 20th century onward.
Petameter
A petameter is a metric unit of length equal to one quadrillion meters (1×10¹⁵ m). It is rarely used in everyday or scientific contexts; astronomers prefer the light-year or parsec for these scales.
The petameter uses the SI prefix peta- (from Greek penta, five, by analogy with the exponent's relation to thousand-cubed-cubed), adopted by the CGPM in 1975 to denote 10¹⁵.
Petameters could express interstellar-scale distances but are almost never used in practice. A light-year is approximately 9.46 Pm; astronomy uses light-years and parsecs as standard.
SI prefix peta- adopted in 1975; the petameter is rarely used because astronomy has well-established non-SI units (light-year, parsec) for this scale.
Attometer to Petameter conversion formula
The relationship between attometers and petameters:
To convert attometers to petameters, multiply the value in attometers by 1e-33. To reverse, multiply petameters by 1e+33.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in petameters updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Petameter to Attometer converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert attometers to petameters
- Write down the value in attometers (am).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1e-33.
- The product is the equivalent value in petameters (Pm).
- To reverse, multiply the petameter value by 1e+33.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 am to Pm:
1 × 1e-33 = 1e-33 Pm
Example 2 — Convert 100 am to Pm:
100 × 1e-33 = 1e-31 Pm
Real-world example — Molecular dimensions
The diameter of small molecular structures (around 2 attometers) is often converted into related sub-micron units when comparing measurements across different microscopy techniques or imaging modalities.
2 am × 1e-33 = 2e-33 Pm
Real-world example — Wavelengths across the spectrum
Optical and atomic-scale phenomena are routinely cross-converted between sub-micron units. A photon of wavelength 800 attometers can be re-expressed in petameters for direct comparison with another instrument's calibration data sheet.
800 am × 1e-33 = 8e-31 Pm
Attometer to Petameter conversion table
Standard reference values for converting attometers to petameters:
| Attometer [am] | Petameter [Pm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1e-35 |
| 0.1 | 1e-34 |
| 1 | 1e-33 |
| 2 | 2e-33 |
| 3 | 3e-33 |
| 4 | 4e-33 |
| 5 | 5e-33 |
| 10 | 1e-32 |
| 20 | 2e-32 |
| 30 | 3e-32 |
| 40 | 4e-32 |
| 50 | 5e-32 |
| 100 | 1e-31 |
| 500 | 5e-31 |
| 1000 | 1e-30 |
Frequently asked questions
How many petameters is 1 attometer?
How do I convert attometers to petameters?
How do I convert petameters back to attometers?
How many petameters is 100 attometers?
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Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 am = 1e-33 Pm) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.