Skip to main content
abvolt

abvolt

9.9
A very small unit of electric voltage equal to one hundred millionth of a volt
  • noun
  • /ˈæbvoʊlt/
  • Archaic
: abvolt
  • Electromagnetic equations in the CGS system often reference the abvolt as the unit of potential difference.

Examples

  • One abvolt is equal to one hundred millionth of a volt.

  • When calibrating instruments, it's important to know that one abvolt is equal to one hundred millionth of a volt.

  • One abvolt is a very small unit compared to the standard volt used today.

  • The old laboratory equipment measured voltage in abvolts rather than volts.

  • The voltage was measured in abvolts.

  • In scientific research, voltage is sometimes expressed in abvolts within the CGS unit system.

  • To convert between standard volts and abvolts, you can multiply by ten million.

Surface Forms

abvolt singular
abvolts plural

Morphology

abvolt = volt (opaque) = ab + volt + ab

The prefix 'ab-' is a specialized CGS combining form used in electromagnetic unit names and does not transparently convey the specific scale (10⁻⁸) to an average learner.

Etymology

Abvolt comes from the scientific prefix ab- meaning 'absolute' and the familiar unit volt. That's why an abvolt is an 'absolute' volt used in the old CGS system and so is a much smaller unit than the common volt.