Question

One thousand microns is equal to

• A. \(10^{-3}\ \text{m}\)
• B. \(10^{-9}\ \text{m}\)
• C. \(10^{-6}\ \text{m}\)
• D. \(10^{-12}\ \text{m}\)

Hint:

Convert using 1 micron = 10 to the power -6 m, then multiply by 1000.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

One micron, also written as one micrometre, is defined as 10 raised to the power minus 6 metres. In symbols, \(1\ \text{micron} = 10^{-6}\ \text{m}\).

The question asks for one thousand microns, so we multiply the value of one micron by 1000.

\(1000 \times 10^{-6}\ \text{m} = 10^{3} \times 10^{-6}\ \text{m} = 10^{-3}\ \text{m}\)

So one thousand microns equal \(10^{-3}\) metres, which is the same as one millimetre.

Option B is wrong because \(10^{-9}\) m is the value of one nanometre, not one thousand microns.

Option C is wrong because \(10^{-6}\) m is the value of just one micron, not one thousand microns.

Option D is wrong because \(10^{-12}\) m is the value of one picometre, which is far too small compared to one thousand microns.

The correct answer is \(10^{-3}\) m.