GCSE Combined Science · key term

Order of magnitude

Definition

The approximate scale of a quantity, expressed as a power of ten.

Used by AQA and Edexcel

Specification 4.1.1.1, 5.10.1.1 · Paper 1, Paper 4

A factor of ten in size. A difference of two orders of magnitude means a factor of $10^2$ , or 100.
An order of magnitude describes a factor of ten. A cell 10 µm across is ten times the size of a bacterium 1 µm long: a difference of one order of magnitude.
Revise: Eukaryotes and prokaryotes
A factor of ten in the size of a quantity. A factor of $10^3$ , or 1000, represents a difference of three orders of magnitude.
Revise: Resources and Sustainable Development

Specification Covalent bonding · Paper 3, Paper 4, Paper 5, Paper 6

Revise: Covalent bonding
A power of ten used to describe the approximate scale of a quantity.
Revise: Atomic models and isotopes

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GCSE Combined Science · key term

The approximate scale of a quantity, expressed as a power of ten.

Used by AQA and Edexcel

Specification 4.1.1.1, 5.10.1.1 · Paper 1, Paper 4

A factor of ten in size. A difference of two orders of magnitude means a factor of $10^2$ , or 100.
An order of magnitude describes a factor of ten. A cell 10 µm across is ten times the size of a bacterium 1 µm long: a difference of one order of magnitude.
Revise: Eukaryotes and prokaryotes
A factor of ten in the size of a quantity. A factor of $10^3$ , or 1000, represents a difference of three orders of magnitude.
Revise: Resources and Sustainable Development

Specification Covalent bonding · Paper 3, Paper 4, Paper 5, Paper 6

Revise: Covalent bonding
A power of ten used to describe the approximate scale of a quantity.
Revise: Atomic models and isotopes

Create a free account to read GCSE Combined Science revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.