Final answer:
The appropriate metric prefix for measurement depends on the scale of the object or distance. Kilometers are used for large distances like the mean distance from the Sun to each planet or from one town to another, while nanometers suit the scale of viruses, and centimeters or meters would be apt for everyday objects like a light switch or a refrigerator.
Step-by-step explanation:
When choosing the appropriate metric prefix for measuring various objects or distances, it is important to consider the scale of what you are measuring. In physics and general science, metric units like millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), and kilometers (km) are used depending on the size or distance. For scenario (a), astronomical units (AU) are usually used for planetary distances, but if we must use metric, kilometers would be most suitable.
For (b), when comparing the sizes of viruses, nanometers (nm) would be fitting as viruses are typically sized in the nanometer range. For (c), the diameters of elements on the periodic table can vary, so angstroms (Å) or picometers (pm) may be useful. Finally, for (d), listing the distances to stars, light-years are customary, but in metric, the prefix would likely be kilo or mega for kilometers (km).
Using the appropriate measurement tool is key in accurately determining the measurement of an object. For the length of a street, a tool that measures in meters or kilometers would be appropriate. For the size of a small worm, centimeters would likely be the best metric unit. The distance from one town to the next would require a measurement in kilometers.
When it comes to the height of a light switch or the width of a refrigerator, centimeters or meters are the sensible choices. When taking measurements, align your choice with the scale of the unit most closely matching the object's size or the distance being measured.