PREFIX SYMBOL FORTRAN
yotta Y 10E+24
zetta Z 10E+21
exa E 10E+18
peta P 10E+15
tera T 10E+12
giga G 10E+9
mega M 10E+6
kilo k 10E+3
hecto h 10E+2
deka da 10E+1
deci d 10E-1
centi c 10E-2
milli m 10E-3
micro µ 10E-6
nano n 10E-9
pico p 10E-12
femto f 10E-15
atto a 10E-18
zepto z 10E-21
yocto y 10E-24
The SI replaces the mks system; note the following spellings
and abbreviations in SI
m = metre mL = millilitre L = litre
J = joule Wb = weber N = newton
W = watt Hz = hertz km = kilometre
Pa = pascal
The rule for units is: "If it is named for a man or woman
then capitalize the abbreviation, otherwise do not capitalize
the abbreviation, except for litre which is L." [Note: the
litre is not truly a SI unit.]
Note also that 1 Calorie = 1000 calories, i.e., 1000 cal = 1 Cal.
[The calorie and Calorie are not SI units. Today, the calorie
is defined as exactly 4.184 joules, and the Calorie is 4,184 J.]
Note that 10 Å = 1 nm so that the wavelength of green
light is about 5200 Å which is also 520 nm. [Ångstroms
are not SI units.]
This page was last updated:
April 22, 1997