A student is preparing a poster about scale in physics. The student wants to express five measurements using the most appropriate SI prefix in each case. The measurements are: 4 500 000 000 Hz, 0.000 000 003 m, 250 000 W, 0.001 s, and 6 500 000 000 000 J. State each measurement using the most appropriate SI prefix, giving the correct symbol for each prefix.

AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.1.1 Use of SI Units and Their Prefixes · State · 5 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (5 marks)

4.5 GHz
3 nm
250 kW
1 ms
6.5 TJ

Examiner tips

  • Use the correct prefix symbol (G, n, k, m, T) and match the decimal place to the prefix (e.g. 4.5 GHz for 4.5×10⁹ Hz).
  • Write the prefix before the unit and keep the unit unchanged.

Mark scheme (5 marks)

  1. 4 500 000 000 Hz expressed as 4.5 GHz (giga, G)
  2. 0.000 000 003 m expressed as 3 nm (nano, n)
  3. 250 000 W expressed as 250 kW (kilo, k)
  4. 0.001 s expressed as 1 ms (milli, m)
  5. 6 500 000 000 000 J expressed as 6.5 TJ (tera, T)

Key terms in this question

SI prefix

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