Which prefix is used to indicate one thousand?

The prefix used to indicate one thousand is "kilo." In the metric system, "kilo-" is derived from the Greek word for "thousand." It is commonly used in various contexts, including measurements of mass, length, and digital data. For example, a kilogram is one thousand grams, and a kilometer is one thousand meters.

Understanding prefixes like kilo is essential in the electrical field as they frequently appear in specifications, particularly when dealing with electrical quantities such as kilovolts (kV) or kilowatts (kW). This foundational knowledge allows electricians to communicate effectively and comprehend technical documentation. Other prefixes such as "mega," "giga," and "micro" represent different quantities (one million, one billion, and one millionth, respectively), but they do not denote the value of one thousand, making "kilo" the accurate choice in this instance.