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Fullerene C60: size, dimension and comparison

The adopted reference is about 710 pm.

cage diameter

pm means picometer: a unit used to measure atoms and their bonds. Imagine 1 millimeter split into one billion equal pieces: one piece measures 1 pm.

Sixty carbon atoms form a geometric cage.

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Fullerene C60, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.

What does this number measure?

Sixty carbon atoms form a geometric cage. Displayed dimension: cage diameter.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Compare with Glucose molecule in the explorer →

Source and limitations

Catalogue value to check against the source; not individually audited.

Fullerene C60: a ball-and-stick evocation of the carbon cage's pentagons and hexagons. Generated connectivity has not been audited atom by atom; approximate cage diameter.