Which of the following prefixes represents 1 x 10^-6?

The prefix that represents 1 x 10^-6 is micro. In the metric system, the prefix micro is derived from the Greek word "mikros," meaning small. This prefix indicates a factor of one millionth, which is indeed 1 x 10^-6.

Understanding metric prefixes is important in fields like electronics, where precision in measurements is crucial. For example, the microcontroller in many devices operates at microvolt levels, and components like capacitors and resistors might be rated in microfarads or micro-ohms.

The other prefixes listed have different values: centi represents 1 x 10^-2 (one hundredth), milli represents 1 x 10^-3 (one thousandth), and nano represents 1 x 10^-9 (one billionth). Each of these serves its purpose in denoting specific scales of measurement, which is vital in scientific contexts.