What Is This Tool?
This converter enables you to transform lengths measured in atomic units (a.u., b), commonly used in atomic and molecular physics, to the US survey chain (ch), a traditional land surveying unit in the United States. It facilitates interdisciplinary referencing between quantum mechanical data and historical surveying measurements.
How to Use This Tool?
-
Enter the length value in atomic units of length (a.u., b)
-
Select the target unit as chain (US survey) [ch]
-
Click the convert button to see the equivalent length in chains
-
Review the converted value for use in land surveying or physics applications
Key Features
-
Converts atomic unit lengths defined by the Bohr radius to the US survey chain unit
-
Supports legacy land surveying measurements used in U.S. cadastral work
-
Uses a precise fixed conversion rate for accurate unit transformations
-
Enables integration of quantum chemistry and geographic information systems (GIS) data
-
Browser-based and easy to use without additional software requirements
Examples
-
Convert 10 a.u. of length to chain (US survey): results in approximately 2.6305187238801e-11 ch
-
Convert 1,000 a.u. of length to chain (US survey): results in approximately 2.6305187238801e-9 ch
Common Use Cases
-
Reporting electron orbital sizes and radial probability distributions in atomic and molecular physics
-
Specifying atomic geometries in quantum-chemistry computational outputs
-
Interpreting distances in historical U.S. land deeds and cadastral surveys
-
Converting legacy survey data for GIS mapping and property boundary descriptions
-
Bridging atomic physics measurements with traditional surveying units for interdisciplinary studies
Tips & Best Practices
-
Ensure input values are accurately specified in atomic units before conversion
-
Use converted results primarily for theoretical or reference purposes due to unit scale differences
-
Cross-verify with original data if applying conversions within land surveying contexts
-
Consider the historical definitions of units when interpreting results for cadastral work
-
Leverage this tool to assist with interdisciplinary data integration rather than direct field measurements
Limitations
-
Unit scales differ greatly, making conversions more relevant for theoretical reference than practical measurement
-
Conversion precision can be affected by the accuracy of fundamental constants and historical unit definitions
-
Not intended for direct use in precise field surveys or legal boundary determinations
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does 'a.u. of length' refer to?
-
It stands for atomic unit of length, defined by the Bohr radius, used mainly in atomic and molecular physics to express very small distances.
-
What is a US survey chain (ch)?
-
A US survey chain is a traditional unit of length used in land surveying, equal to 66 US survey feet, historically important for cadastral mapping.
-
Why convert from a.u. of length to chain (US survey)?
-
This conversion helps relate atomic-scale measurements to legacy land surveying units for interdisciplinary data referencing and historical record interpretation.
Key Terminology
-
Atomic Unit of Length (a.u., b)
-
A length standard defined by the Bohr radius, representing atomic scale distances in quantum physics.
-
US Survey Chain (ch)
-
A traditional land surveying unit in the US equal to 66 survey feet, subdivided into 100 links.
-
Bohr Radius
-
The approximate average distance between the electron and proton in a hydrogen atom’s ground state.