What does a millivolt (mV) represent?

A millivolt (mV) specifically represents one thousandth of a volt. In the metric system, the prefix "milli" denotes a factor of 10^-3, meaning that one millivolt is equal to 0.001 volts. Understanding this unit is crucial in various applications, including electronics and electrical engineering, where precise voltage readings are essential. This helps gauge small voltage levels that are commonly encountered in sensors, batteries, and other devices.

The other choices contain misunderstandings of the metric prefixes. For instance, one thousand volts would refer to kilovolts (kV), a millionth of a volt is termed microvolts (μV), and one hundredth of a volt refers to centivolts (cV). Recognizing these prefixes is vital for anyone working in fields that involve electrical quantities.