Use a prefix to write the name for each of the following:
d. 10^-12 m

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the prefix that corresponds to the factor 10⁻¹². In the International System of Units (SI), the prefix for 10⁻¹² is 'pico-' (symbol: p).
2. Combine the prefix 'pico-' with the base unit 'meter' (m) to form the name of the measurement.
3. The resulting name for 10⁻¹² m is 'picometer'.

Key Concepts

Prefix System in the Metric System

The metric system uses a series of prefixes to denote different powers of ten, making it easier to express large or small quantities. Each prefix corresponds to a specific factor, allowing for straightforward conversions and comparisons. For example, 'milli-' represents 10⁻³, while 'pico-' represents 10⁻¹².

Pico

The prefix 'pico-' is used in the metric system to denote a factor of 10⁻¹², or one trillionth. It is commonly used in scientific contexts, such as measuring wavelengths of light or electrical charge, where extremely small quantities are involved. For instance, 1 picometer (pm) equals 10⁻¹² meters.

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a method of expressing numbers that are too large or too small in a more manageable form. It involves writing numbers as a product of a coefficient and a power of ten. For example, 10⁻¹² can be expressed as 1 x 10⁻¹², which simplifies calculations and comparisons in scientific work.