In the field of atomic and molecular physics, an "atomic unit of length" is a unit of measurement that is used to express distances at the atomic and molecular scale in a dimensionless way. It is part of a system of atomic units (a.u.) that simplifies calculations involving fundamental physical constants and properties of atoms and molecules.
The atomic unit of length (a.u. of length) is defined in terms of the Bohr radius (a₀), which is a fundamental constant in atomic physics. The Bohr radius is approximately 0.52917721067 angstroms (Å) or 5.2917721067 x 10^-11 meters (m).
In atomic units, the Bohr radius is set to exactly 1 a.u. of length. Therefore, when using atomic units, distances are expressed relative to the Bohr radius, and the value of 1 a.u. of length corresponds to the typical size scale of atomic and molecular structures.
The use of atomic units simplifies many quantum mechanical calculations and allows physicists and chemists to work with dimensionless quantities, making it easier to compare and analyze atomic and molecular properties.
A perch is a unit of length that was historically used in some English-speaking countries, primarily in the United Kingdom. It is equivalent to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet (about 5.0292 meters). The term "perch" is relatively old and is not commonly used in modern measurements.
Perches were often used in land measurement, particularly in agriculture and real estate. They were also sometimes used in surveying. However, the use of the perch as a standard unit of measurement has largely been replaced by more modern and standardized systems such as the metric system or the imperial system based on feet and yards. As a result, the perch is considered an archaic or historical unit of measurement today.