Final answer:
The metric equivalent to 1 liter is 1000 milliliters. This conversion is based on the definition that 1 liter equals the volume of a cubic decimeter, and 1 milliliter is the same as a cubic centimeter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The metric equivalent to 1 liter is 1000 milliliters (mL). A liter is defined as one-tenth of a meter cubed, which is equivalent to a volume occupied by a cubic decimeter (dm³). Since 1 dm³ equals 1 L and 1 L equals 1000 mL, it follows that 1 mL is equivalent to one cubic centimeter (cm³). Therefore, the two units mL and cm³ are interchangeable in the International System of Units (SI).
Liters and milliliters are metric units for measuring capacity, commonly used to measure liquids. For instance, 2.5 liters (L) would convert to 2500 milliliters (mL), as the ratio for conversion is 1 L to 1000 mL.
Additionally, understanding that 1 mL is the volume of a cube measuring 1 cm on each side reinforces the connection between metric units of capacity and the fundamental unit of length in the SI system.