Q 2.4: Explain this statement clearly: “To call a dimensional quantity ‘large’ or ‘small’ is meaningless without specifying a standard for comparison”. In view of this, reframe the following statements wherever necessary :
(a) atoms are very small objects
(b) a jet plane moves with great speed
(c) the mass of Jupiter is very large
(d) the air inside this room contains a large number of molecules
(e) a proton is much more massive than an electron
(f) the speed of sound is much smaller than the speed of light
The given statement is true. A dimensional quantity may be small with respect to one reference and maybe large with respect to another reference. Hence, we require a standard reference to judge for comparison.
(a) An atom is a very small object with respect to a tennis ball. (but larger than an electron!)
(b) A jet plane moves with great speed with respect to a train.
(c) The mass of Jupiter is very large as compared to an apple.
(d) The air inside this room contains a large number of molecules as compared to in your lungs.
(e) A proton is much more massive than an electron
(f) The speed of sound is less than the speed of light