Which metric prefix denotes a factor of 10^-3?

The metric prefix that denotes a factor of 10^-3 is "milli." This prefix is widely recognized in the metric system and is commonly used in various scientific and engineering contexts. For instance, one millimeter equals one-thousandth of a meter, and one milliliter equals one-thousandth of a liter. The "milli" prefix comes from the Latin word for "thousand," reflecting its association with the factor of one thousandth or 10^-3.

In contrast, the other prefixes mentioned have different values. "Centi" represents 10^-2, "nano" corresponds to 10^-9, and "pico" indicates 10^-12. Understanding these prefixes is essential for accurately interpreting measurements and working with different scales in science and engineering applications.