Elucidating atomic scale vs. macro scale

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the comparison of atomic scale versus macro scale, specifically using the example of water molecules in one liter. It is established that there are approximately 3.35 x 10^25 molecules in one liter of water, which translates to the ability to create 130,016,267,822,000 stacks of pennies reaching the average distance between the Earth and the Moon. The conversation also touches on the distribution of molecules from historical figures, suggesting that an individual could be stepping on around 1,000 molecules from Julius Caesar's body with each step. These calculations illustrate the vast difference between atomic and macro scales.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic molecular biology concepts
  • Familiarity with large number calculations and scientific notation
  • Knowledge of the average distance between Earth and the Moon
  • Basic grasp of historical context regarding Julius Caesar
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of Avogadro's number and its implications in chemistry
  • Explore the principles of molecular distribution in various environments
  • Investigate the historical significance of Julius Caesar and his impact on modern society
  • Learn about the physical properties of water and its molecular structure
USEFUL FOR

Students of chemistry, historians interested in the legacy of Julius Caesar, and anyone curious about the relationship between atomic and macro scales will benefit from this discussion.

Twodogs
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TL;DR
An answer that seems unbelievable
There are 3.35*10^25 molecules in one liter of water. If we are given a penny for every molecule, how high could you stack the pennies given that a stack of 17 pennies equals one inch?
Or, to further reduce this large number into something more tangible, how many stacks equal to the distance between Earth and moon could on make with these pennies given an average earth/moon separation of 238,855 miles?
So my answer...
If you have a penny for every water molecule in one liter of water, you can make 130,016,267,822,000 stacks of pennies equal to the average distance between Earth and moon.
This number seem unbelievably high. Can it be right? If someone has time to check this, I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
 
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That looks about right... molecules really are that small.

Here's another one to consider. Assume for the sake of argument that in the two thousand years or so since Julius Caesar died, the molecules that made up his body have been more or less evenly scattered across the surface of the earth. How many molecules from his body are you stepping on every time you take a step?
 
I know the one about the glass of water distributed in the ocean.
Just as a guess, on the order of 1,000 molecules.
 

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