Which scale is characterized by being nonlinear and using powers of ten?

A logarithmic scale is indeed characterized by being nonlinear and utilizing powers of ten. In this type of scale, each unit increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the quantity being measured. This means that the relationship between the numbers on a logarithmic scale is exponentially increasing; for example, moving from 1 to 2 represents an increase from 10^1 to 10^2, or from 10 to 100.

Logarithmic scales are particularly useful in various scientific fields, including biology and chemistry, where processes can change by multiple orders of magnitude. They allow for easier comparison of values that span a wide range, making them an effective tool for data visualization.

In contrast to other scales listed, such as linear, exponential, and relative scales, which represent data in different ways, the distinct property of a logarithmic scale being nonlinear and based on powers of ten is what makes it unique.