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What is a microampere equivalent to?

  1. 1/1,000,000 of an ampere

  2. 1/1,000 of an ampere

  3. 1 ampere

  4. 1/100 of an ampere

The correct answer is: 1/1,000,000 of an ampere

A microampere is a unit of electric current in the International System of Units (SI) and is specifically defined as one-millionth of an ampere. This means that one microampere is equal to 0.000001 amperes, or mathematically expressed, it can be represented as 1/1,000,000 of an ampere. Understanding the prefixes used in the metric system is essential, as they help in converting between units. In this case, "micro-" denotes a factor of 10 to the power of -6, directly supporting the definition of a microampere. Recognizing this helps clarify how microamperes fit into the broader context of current measurements. This explanation also distinguishes it from other units like milliamperes, which would represent 1/1,000 of an ampere, or amperes themselves, which represent the base unit of electric current.