A Level Physics Practice Exam

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Study for the A Level Physics Exam. Our quiz features flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly!

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What does "giga" represent in scientific notation?

10^6
10^7
10^8
10^9

The correct answer is: 10^9

In scientific notation, "giga" represents a factor of 10 raised to the power of 9, which is denoted as 10^9. This prefix is commonly used in various fields, especially in computing and telecommunications, to express large quantities. For example, a gigabyte (GB) is commonly understood to represent 1 billion bytes. Understanding the prefix is essential for working with large numbers in science and engineering, as it allows for a more manageable way to express and communicate these quantities. Other prefixes like "mega" represent 10^6 (one million) and "kilo" represents 10^3 (one thousand), while "tera" goes beyond giga to represent 10^12. This hierarchical structure of prefixes helps in grasping the magnitude of values quickly.