Convert 278 µm to km

Converting measurements between different units can often be confusing. In this post, we will specifically convert 278 micrometers (µm) to kilometers (km), providing a clear understanding of how to perform this conversion.

µm Definition

Micrometer (µm), also known as a micron, is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one millionth of a meter (10^-6 m). It is commonly used in fields such as biology, materials science, and engineering to measure small distances, such as the size of cells or the thickness of materials.

km Definition

Kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousand meters (10³ m). Kilometers are widely used in geography, transportation, and everyday measurements to express distances between locations.

How to Convert 278 µm to km

To convert micrometers to kilometers, you can use the following formula:

1 µm = 1 x 10^-9 km

To convert 278 µm to km, apply the formula:

278 µm x (1 x 10^-9 km/1 µm) = 2.78 x 10^-7 km

Therefore, 278 µm is equal to 2.78 x 10^-7 kilometers.

FAQs

What is the smallest unit of measurement?

The smallest commonly used unit of measurement is the picometer (pm), which is one trillionth of a meter (10^-12 m).

Why is the micrometer used in science?

The micrometer is used in science to measure very small objects and distances, such as microorganisms, cell structures, and the thickness of materials.

How many micrometers are in a kilometer?

There are 1,000,000,000 micrometers in a kilometer, as 1 km equals 1,000 meters and 1 meter equals 1,000,000 micrometers.