Question 1

What is a micrometer?

Accepted Answer

A micrometer (μm) is one millionth of a meter (10⁻⁶ m). Human hair is 50-100 μm thick. Also called a micron.

Question 2

How do I convert micrometers to mm?

Accepted Answer

Divide by 1000. Example: 500 μm = 0.5 mm. Bacteria are typically 1-10 μm, cells are 10-100 μm.

Question 3

Is this conversion factor exact?

Accepted Answer

Metric-to-metric conversions are exact (1 km = 1000 m). Imperial-to-metric factors like 1 inch = 2.54 cm are exact by international agreement.

Question 4

Why do some countries use different units?

Accepted Answer

Historical reasons - the metric system spread from France after 1795. The US, UK, and a few others retained older systems. Science uses metric worldwide.

Micrometers to Millimeters Converter

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