Question

units and prefixes
answer each of the following questions as directed.

1. the basic si unit for measuring length is the meter. using metric prefixes, give the appropriate unit for measuring the following quantities.

example: the distance between two cities kilometers
a. the distance between your eyes
b. the diameter of wire used to make a paper clip
c. the length of a football field
d. the thickness of a piece of paper

1. the basic si unit of mass is the kilogram. using metric prefixes, give the appropriate unit for measuring the following quantities.

example: the mass of a person kilograms
a. the mass of aspirin in an aspirin tablet
b. the mass of the empire state building
c. the mass of an apple
d. the mass of an automobile

1. a non - si unit frequently used to measure volume is the liter. using metric prefixes, give the appropriate unit for measuring the following quantities.

example: the volume of an eyedropper milliliters
a. the volume of water in a bathtub
b. the volume of a can of soda
c. the volume of a swimming pool
d. the volume of a microwave oven

1. indicate a quantity that could be measured in the following units.

example: gram the mass of a soup bowl
a. millisecond
b. megawatt
c. decigram
d. kilocalorie

Explanation:

Step1: Determine length units

1. For the thickness of a piece of paper, it is very thin, so the appropriate unit is micrometers ($\mu m$).
2. For the mass of an apple, a common - sense unit is grams (g).
3. For the mass of an automobile, a larger unit is needed, and kilograms (kg) is appropriate.
4. For the volume of water in a bathtub, liters (L) is a suitable unit as bathtubs hold a relatively large volume of water.
5. For the volume of a can of soda, milliliters (mL) is appropriate as soda cans have a relatively small volume.
6. For the volume of a swimming pool, cubic meters ($m^{3}$) or kiloliters (kL) can be used since swimming pools are large - volume containers.
7. For the volume of a microwave oven, liters (L) is a reasonable unit.
8. For a millisecond, it is a unit of time, and a possible quantity could be the time it takes for a camera's shutter to open.
9. For a megawatt, it is a unit of power, and a possible quantity could be the power output of a large electrical generator.
10. For a decigram, it is a unit of mass, and a possible quantity could be the mass of a small coin.
11. For a kilocalorie, it is a unit of energy, and a possible quantity could be the energy content of a meal.

Answer:

1. d. $\mu m$
2. c. g; d. kg
3. a. L; b. mL; c. $m^{3}$ or kL; d. L
4. a. The time it takes for a camera's shutter to open; b. The power output of a large electrical generator; c. The mass of a small coin; d. The energy content of a meal