For each of the following pairs, which is the larger unit? a. milligram or kilogram

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the metric prefixes: 'milli-' means one-thousandth (10^{-3}) and 'kilo-' means one thousand (10^3).
2. Recognize that a milligram (mg) is 10^{-3} grams and a kilogram (kg) is 10^3 grams.
3. Compare the exponents: 10^{-3} for milligrams and 10^3 for kilograms.
4. Since 10^3 is greater than 10^{-3}, a kilogram is a larger unit than a milligram.
5. Conclude that in the pair milligram and kilogram, the kilogram is the larger unit.

Key Concepts

Metric System

The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement used globally, which includes units such as meters for length, liters for volume, and grams for mass. It is structured around powers of ten, making conversions between units straightforward. Understanding the metric system is essential for comparing different units of measurement, such as milligrams and kilograms.

Units of Mass

Units of mass are standard measures used to quantify the amount of matter in an object. In the metric system, common units include milligrams (mg), grams (g), and kilograms (kg). Knowing the relationship between these units is crucial for determining which is larger; for instance, 1 kilogram equals 1,000,000 milligrams.

Conversion Factors

Conversion factors are numerical values used to convert one unit of measurement to another. In the context of mass, they allow for the comparison of different units, such as converting milligrams to kilograms. For example, understanding that 1 kg = 1,000 g and 1 g = 1,000 mg helps in determining that a kilogram is significantly larger than a milligram.