RE: FW: Dinosaur Weights

["Allan " <EDELS@classic.msn.com>]

I guess it is a matter of approximation.  We say the density of water is 1 
gram to 1 cubic centimeter.  I suspect that it is true until you reach the 
cubic meter size and above.  I don't know in which direction (without looking 
it up somewhere) the discrepancy lies.  This is sort of like "E=mc2"  -  which 
is true, but not precise in all instances.  The more complete version of the 
formula is "E=mc2 + m2c4" [in case this doesn't pass through the email 
correctly - the first formula is E = m c (squared) and the second formula is E 
= m c (squared) plus m (squared) c (to the fourth)].  The lesser terms tend to 
fall out of the formulas because they are usually unimportant to the task at 
hand.  On occasion, it does matter.  Some scientists like to speak as 
precisely as possible, so they will remind you that this number is not exact.  
Just as I wish some paleontologists would say that "This is what I think the 
dinosaurs were like" vs. "This is what the dinosaurs were like"!!!
 



----------
From:  Dinogeorge@aol.com
Sent:  Saturday, August 23, 1997 12:08 PM
To:  EDELS@classic.msn.com; dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject:  Re: FW: Dinosaur Weights

In a message dated 97-08-23 07:09:31 EDT, EDELS@classic.msn.com (Allan )
writes:

<< "Most animals have about the same density as water."  
 This is about 1000 kilograms per cubic meter. >>

By definition, it should be exactly 1000 kg/m^3. But it's not. Anybody out
there know why not? I've been wondering for years.