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Fathom

A fathom is a unit of length traditionally used to measure the depth of water. It equals 6 feet or approximately 1.8288 meters.

Originating from the Old English word fæðm, meaning "to embrace" or "outstretched arms," the fathom was based on the average distance between a person's outstretched arms. It has been widely used by sailors and navigators to estimate sea depths and underwater distances.

Key facts:

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  1 fathom = 6 feet

  
  
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  1 fathom ≈ 1.8288 meters

  
  
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  1 fathom = 2 yards

  
  

Though modern sonar and electronic instruments now measure depth more precisely, the fathom remains a traditional unit in nautical contexts, especially in maritime charts and historical references.

X-unit

The X-unit (symbol: xu) is a very small unit of length used primarily to measure wavelengths of X-rays and gamma rays. It was introduced in the early 20th century for precision measurements in X-ray crystallography.

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  1 X-unit ≈ 0.1 picometers (pm) or 10⁻¹³ meters

  
  
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  It allows scientists to express extremely small wavelengths typical of X-rays, which are on the order of atomic spacing

  
  
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  The exact definition has varied historically, but the unit remains useful for comparing wavelengths in X-ray spectroscopy and crystallography

  
  

Though largely replaced by the picometer or ångström in modern usage, the X-unit played a crucial role in early developments of atomic-scale measurement.