Second Converter
Convert Second to Femtosecond and more • 33 conversions
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Unit Explanations
Second of Arc"
Source UnitA second of arc, also known as an arcsecond, is a unit of angular measurement that is equal to 1/3600 of a degree or 1/60 of an arcminute. It is used primarily in fields that require precise angular measurement, such as astronomy, navigation, and mapping. An arcsecond is a small unit, reflecting the requirement for high precision in measurements of celestial objects and angles on the Earth's surface. The notation for a second of arc is usually represented by a double prime symbol ("), following the degree and arcminute symbols.
Current Use
Today, the second of arc is indispensable in astronomy for measuring the positions and movements of celestial objects with high precision. It is also used in geodesy and cartography to define the precise angular relationships between points on the Earth. Additionally, arcseconds are employed in the calibration of telescopes and other optical instruments where small angular measurements are critical.
Fun Fact
An arcsecond is roughly the angle subtended by a U.S. dime at a distance of 2.4 miles.
Femtosecondfs
Target UnitA femtosecond (fs) is a unit of time equal to 10^-15 seconds, which places it in the realm of extremely short time intervals. It is one millionth of a picosecond and one billionth of a nanosecond. This unit is used primarily in fields that require measurement of phenomena occurring at very high speeds, such as laser physics, molecular dynamics, and ultrafast optics. The femtosecond scale allows scientists to observe and interact with processes that happen at the atomic and molecular levels, giving insight into the dynamics of chemical reactions and the behavior of electrons.
Current Use
Femtoseconds are widely used in laser physics to measure the duration of laser pulses. Applications include probing chemical reactions in real-time, studying electron dynamics, and imaging techniques like femtochemistry. This unit is crucial in fields such as telecommunications, where signal processing at ultra-high speeds is necessary.
Fun Fact
A femtosecond is to a second what a second is to approximately 31.7 million years.
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📐Conversion Formula
= × 1.00000How to Convert
To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.
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Second of Arc
angle • Non-SI
Definition
A second of arc, also known as an arcsecond, is a unit of angular measurement that is equal to 1/3600 of a degree or 1/60 of an arcminute. It is used primarily in fields that require precise angular measurement, such as astronomy, navigation, and mapping. An arcsecond is a small unit, reflecting the requirement for high precision in measurements of celestial objects and angles on the Earth's surface. The notation for a second of arc is usually represented by a double prime symbol ("), following the degree and arcminute symbols.
History & Origin
The concept of dividing a circle into degrees and further into minutes and seconds dates back to ancient Babylonian astronomers, who used a sexagesimal (base-60) number system. The division of a degree into 60 parts, known as minutes, and each minute into 60 parts, known as seconds, allowed for more precise measurement and calculation of angles in the study of celestial bodies. This system became widespread with the work of Greek and later Islamic scholars, who advanced astronomical knowledge and navigation.
Etymology: The term 'second' in this context comes from the Latin 'secunda', meaning 'second division' or 'second order', referring to its place in the hierarchical division of degrees.
Current Use
Today, the second of arc is indispensable in astronomy for measuring the positions and movements of celestial objects with high precision. It is also used in geodesy and cartography to define the precise angular relationships between points on the Earth. Additionally, arcseconds are employed in the calibration of telescopes and other optical instruments where small angular measurements are critical.
💡 Fun Facts
- •An arcsecond is roughly the angle subtended by a U.S. dime at a distance of 2.4 miles.
- •The Hubble Space Telescope can resolve images with an angular resolution of about 0.05 arcseconds.
- •In one parsec, which is a unit of astronomical distance, a star would have a parallax angle of one arcsecond.
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Femtosecond
time • Non-SI
Definition
A femtosecond (fs) is a unit of time equal to 10^-15 seconds, which places it in the realm of extremely short time intervals. It is one millionth of a picosecond and one billionth of a nanosecond. This unit is used primarily in fields that require measurement of phenomena occurring at very high speeds, such as laser physics, molecular dynamics, and ultrafast optics. The femtosecond scale allows scientists to observe and interact with processes that happen at the atomic and molecular levels, giving insight into the dynamics of chemical reactions and the behavior of electrons.
History & Origin
The concept of femtoseconds emerged alongside advancements in laser technology in the late 20th century. The first lasers capable of producing femtosecond pulses were developed in the 1980s. This advancement enabled scientists to explore and measure ultrafast phenomena in physics and chemistry, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in various fields.
Etymology: The term 'femto' originates from the Danish word 'femten', meaning fifteen, and it represents a factor of 10^-15 in the metric system.
Current Use
Femtoseconds are widely used in laser physics to measure the duration of laser pulses. Applications include probing chemical reactions in real-time, studying electron dynamics, and imaging techniques like femtochemistry. This unit is crucial in fields such as telecommunications, where signal processing at ultra-high speeds is necessary.
💡 Fun Facts
- •A femtosecond is to a second what a second is to approximately 31.7 million years.
- •Femtosecond lasers are capable of producing light pulses so short that they can effectively 'freeze' motion on the atomic scale.
- •The fastest camera in the world can capture images at a rate of one trillion frames per second, equivalent to capturing events that occur in femtoseconds.
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