Convert Nautical Mile (nmi) to A.U. of Length (a.u.) instantly.
About these units
Nautical Mile (nmi)
The nautical mile is a unit designed specifically for navigation. Its definition—exactly 1,852 meters—originated from the idea that one nautical mile equals one minute of arc along Earth's meridian. This geometric relationship makes nautical miles incredibly convenient for charting and navigation because latitude coordinates are given in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Aviation and maritime industries use nautical miles exclusively for distance, and knots (nautical miles per hour) for speed. Because Earth's shape and size are fundamental to navigational calculations, using nautical miles avoids the complexities that would arise if statute miles or kilometers were used instead. The unit remains globally standardized and universally understood in professional navigation.
A.U. of Length (a.u.)
The atomic unit of length, also known as the Bohr radius unit in atomic units, is approximately 5.29177 × 10⁻¹¹ meters. It is defined as the radius of the lowest-energy orbital of the hydrogen atom, providing a natural scale for describing atomic and quantum mechanical systems. Atomic units were devised to simplify equations in quantum chemistry and atomic physics by normalizing fundamental constants such as electron charge, Planck's constant, and electron mass to 1. In this system, many equations become dimensionless and far easier to manipulate mathematically. The atomic unit of length is essential in molecular orbital calculations, quantum simulations, and the study of electron behavior in atoms and molecules. Its use reflects an approach to physics in which units are chosen to match the natural scales of the systems being studied.