1.1.3

Prefixes of Units

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Prefixes of Units

Using prefixes before a unit indicates the scale of the value.
For example, 1 nanometre (nm) = 10-9m. 3nm = 3×10-9m.

Illustrative background for Nano (n)Illustrative background for Nano (n) ?? "content

Nano (n)

  • Multiplies the unit by 10-9.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 0.000000001.
Illustrative background for Micro (μ)Illustrative background for Micro (μ) ?? "content

Micro (μ)

  • Multiplies the unit by 10-6.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 0.000001.
Illustrative background for Milli (m)Illustrative background for Milli (m) ?? "content

Milli (m)

  • Multiplies the unit by 10-3.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 0.001.
Illustrative background for Centi (c)Illustrative background for Centi (c) ?? "content

Centi (c)

  • Multiplies the unit by 10-2.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 0.01.
Illustrative background for Kilo (k)Illustrative background for Kilo (k) ?? "content

Kilo (k)

  • Multiplies the unit by 103.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 1000.
Illustrative background for Mega (M)Illustrative background for Mega (M) ?? "content

Mega (M)

  • Multiplies the unit by 106.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 1000000.
Illustrative background for Giga (G)Illustrative background for Giga (G) ?? "content

Giga (G)

  • Multiplies the unit by 109.
  • This is equivalent to multiplying by 1000000000.

Jump to other topics

1Measurements & Errors

2Particles & Radiation

3Waves

4Mechanics & Materials

5Electricity

6Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

7Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

8Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

9Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

10Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

11Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

12Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

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