Which of the following correctly pairs an SI prefix with its corresponding power of ten?

The correct option is tera - 10^12.

Explanation

The International System of Units (SI) utilizes standard prefixes to denote decimal multiples and submultiples of units. Each prefix corresponds to a specific power of ten, facilitating the expression of measurements across varying scales.

Option Analysis:

• tera - 10^12 is Correct: The prefix tera (symbol T) corresponds to a factor of 10¹².
• mega - 10^9 is Incorrect: The prefix mega (symbol M) corresponds to a factor of 10⁶. The factor 10⁹ is represented by the prefix giga.
• milli - 10^-6 is Incorrect: The prefix milli (symbol m) corresponds to a factor of 10^-3. The factor 10^-6 is represented by the prefix micro.
• nano - 10^-12 is Incorrect: The prefix nano (symbol n) corresponds to a factor of 10^-9. The factor 10^-12 is represented by the prefix pico.

Key Takeaway: Proficiency in SI prefixes is essential for scientific notation. Key prefixes include Tera (10¹²), Giga (10⁹), Mega (10⁶), Micro (10^-6), Nano (10^-9), and Pico (10^-12).