Convert Circular Inch (circ in) to Electron Cross Section (σₑ) instantly.
About these units
Circular Inch (circ in)
A circular inch represents the area of a circle with a diameter of exactly one inch. This yields an area of approximately 0.7854 square inches. It is sometimes used in engineering, especially in the sizing of pipes, hydraulic fittings, and certain mechanical components where circular cross-sections dominate. While not as widespread as the square inch, the circular inch offers a more direct representation of the actual shape of round components, reducing the need for manual geometric conversion.
Electron Cross Section (σₑ)
The electron cross section, often denoted σₑ, is not a fixed unit but rather a physical area representing the effective interaction size of an electron in scattering experiments. It is typically expressed in barns or submultiples such as square femtometers (fm²). Electron cross sections are vital in quantum electrodynamics (QED), X-ray scattering, atomic physics, and materials science. These values describe how electrons interact with photons, atoms, or other electrons, determining phenomena such as absorption, conductivity, and radiation shielding. Because electron interactions are probabilistic, σₑ provides a statistical measure of likelihood rather than a physical surface, illustrating how area units are used conceptually at quantum scales.