Order of magnitude

Definition

Order of magnitude is a classifying scale that measures the size or quantity of something in terms of powers of ten. It helps to compare and understand the relative scale of different physical quantities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An order of magnitude represents a tenfold change in quantity.
2. When comparing two quantities, if they differ by one order of magnitude, one is approximately ten times larger than the other.
3. In scientific notation, an increase or decrease by one in the exponent indicates a change by one order of magnitude.
4. Order of magnitude can be used to estimate and simplify complex calculations in physics.
5. It is commonly represented as $10^n$, where $n$ is an integer.

Review Questions

• What does it mean for two quantities to differ by two orders of magnitude?
• How would you express an increase by three orders of magnitude using scientific notation?
• Why is understanding orders of magnitude important in physics?

Related terms

Scientific Notation: A method for expressing very large or very small numbers through powers of ten.

Exponent: The power to which a number or expression is raised in scientific notation.

Scale: A system or series that quantifies measurements and their units based on standard increments.