What is the metric prefix for 10^-9?

What is the metric prefix for 10^-9?

• A. Milli- (m)
• B. Nano- (n)
• C. Micro- (µ)
• D. Pico- (p)

Answer: (B)

The metric prefixes translate to powers of ten, so the one that corresponds to 10^-9 is nano-. Nano- is used for objects at the scale of a billionth of the base unit, with the symbol n. For example, 1 nanometer equals 1 × 10^-9 meters. This prefix sits between micro (10^-6) and pico (10^-12) in magnitude. The other prefixes shown correspond to different powers of ten: milli- is 10^-3, micro- is 10^-6, and pico- is 10^-12, none of which equal 10^-9.

The metric prefixes translate to powers of ten, so the one that corresponds to 10^-9 is nano-. Nano- is used for objects at the scale of a billionth of the base unit, with the symbol n. For example, 1 nanometer equals 1 × 10^-9 meters. This prefix sits between micro (10^-6) and pico (10^-12) in magnitude. The other prefixes shown correspond to different powers of ten: milli- is 10^-3, micro- is 10^-6, and pico- is 10^-12, none of which equal 10^-9.