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Glite Dictionary
nanovolt

nanovolt

1 6.7
A measure of electric voltage equal to one billionth of a volt
  • noun
  • /ˈnænəˌvoʊlt/
  • Specialized
: nanovoltio
  • Some scientific instruments are sensitive enough to detect changes as small as one nanovolt.

Examples

  • The voltage drop across the component was measured in nanovolts.

  • The sensor operates at a level of one nanovolt.

  • Researchers reported fluctuations in the magnetic field of only a few nanovolts.

  • A typical measurement might show fluctuations of several nanovolts.

  • The sensor can detect changes in electric potential as small as one nanovolt.

  • In advanced electronics, measurements often require precision down to a few nanovolts.

  • The laboratory experiment was sensitive enough to read voltages below one nanovolt.

Surface Forms

nanovolt singular
nanovolts plural

Morphology

nanovolt = volt (transparent) = nano + volt

This is a standard SI prefix plus a familiar base unit, so the meaning is directly compositional.

Etymology

The word nanovolt joins the prefix nano- meaning 'very small' or 'one billionth' and volt, the unit named after the scientist Volta for electric potential. So a nanovolt is a tiny amount of electric voltage, one billionth of a volt.