Which metric prefix represents a factor of 10^3 and would be added to the beginning of 'nitrogen' to indicate 1,000 times the base unit?

• A. kilo-
• B. centi-
• C. milli-
• D. micro-

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that metric prefixes are used to indicate multiples or fractions of a base unit by powers of ten.
2. Recall that the prefix 'kilo-' represents a factor of \$10^{3}$, meaning 1,000 times the base unit.
3. Recognize that 'centi-' corresponds to \$10^{-2}\( (one hundredth), 'milli-' corresponds to \)10^{-3}\( (one thousandth), and 'micro-' corresponds to \)10^{-6}$ (one millionth).
4. Since the problem asks for a prefix that means 1,000 times the base unit, identify 'kilo-' as the correct prefix.
5. Therefore, adding 'kilo-' to 'nitrogen' would indicate 1,000 times the base unit of nitrogen.