Convert X-unit to barleycorn Online | Free Length Converter

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.

Barleycorn

A barleycorn is an old English unit of length, traditionally based on the length of a grain of barley. It is defined as exactly 1/3 of an inch or approximately 8.47 millimeters.

Historically, the barleycorn was used for measuring small lengths and was also the basis for the inch, which was originally considered to be three barleycorns long. It played a role in various traditional measurements, including shoe sizing in English-speaking countries, where shoe sizes were sometimes expressed in barleycorn units.

Although obsolete as a formal unit, the barleycorn remains culturally significant, especially in shoe sizing systems.

Summary:

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  1 barleycorn = 1/3 inch ≈ 8.47 mm

  
  
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  Based on the length of a grain of barley

  
  
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  Used historically in small measurements and shoe sizing

  
  
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  Mostly of historical and cultural interest today