Comparison

Comparison is very important when describing physical observation and

experiment results. Notice the following text:

"One point to note is that the fundamental has the lowest frequency and the
longest wavelength of all the harmonics. Further, the frequencies of the higher
harmonics in a wave under constant tension are simple multiples of the
fundamental frequency."

Text shows you the use of the comparison and superlative in physics. To
construct the comparison and the superlative there are some rules that need to be
noticed as follows:

3.1. Simple statement of comparison.

(a) Short adjective usually take -er and -est

(b) Long adjective usually take more and most
(c) More and less are used with singular nouns:
Arts students usually do less work than science
students. If this happens, add more water to the
mixture.
(d) Fewer is used with plural nouns:
Fewer oil-wells will be drilled this
year.
Notice that as x>y = y<x, so:
X is longer than y = y is shorter than x.

Study these example sentences:

 x>y
1. x is longer than y
2. A meter is longer than a yard
3. In summer the desert is hotter than the coast
4. Soft woods are cheaper than hard woods
5. X-rays are shorter in wavelength than light rays
6. Hydrochloric acid is more dangerous than citric acid
7. Benzene is more complicated chemically than methane
8. A diesel engine is more efficient than a steam engine
9. River-water usually contains more impurities than well-water
10. Seawater contains more manganese than fresh water.

Exercise 3.1. Change the ten example sentences into the reverse structure. The
first one has already been done.

Exercise 3.2. The eight sentences below have been mixed up. Study them and
write out the eight correct sentences.

Water has a higher carbon content than Mexico

Gases has a higher octane rating than a cube of similar

base area
A pyramid has a higher boiling point than ordinary petrol
Alaska has a greater coefficient of than Mild steel
expansion
Iron has smaller volume than ethyl alcohol
Oil wells has a greater specific gravity than solids
Hard steel has a greater depth . than aluminum
Aircraft fuel has have a lower average than Water wells
temperature than

Exercise 3.3. Here is some information about two cars. Write a short passage
comparing the two. Remember to begin with a general statement and then
discuss the detail of the differences. Notice that you may use either be or have:
Have Car B has a higher price than Car A
Car A has a lower price than Car B

Be Car B is more expensive than Car A

Car A is cheaper than Car B

11.

Car A Car B
Price 1,000 1,300
Engine size 1,000 cc 1,500 cc
Fuel consumption 7 lit/100 km 9 lit/100 km
Length 4.2 m 4.6 m
Height 1.7 m 1.6 m
Maximum speed 130 kph 145 kph

3.2 Spelling changes

(a) Adjective ending in consonant + y take -ier and -iest in the

comparative and superlative. Hence: Heavy, heavier, and heaviest.
(But grey, greyer, greyest: why?)
(b) Adjective ending in single vowel letter + single consonant letter double
the last letter. Hence: hot, hotter, hottest.

(but weak, weaker, weakest: why?)

Exercise 3.4. Cross out the wrong comparative forms:

1. Biger Bigger 6. Slower Slowwer
2. Shortter Shorter 7. Widder Wider
3. Deepper Deeper 8. Taller Taler
4. Fatter Fater 9. Nearrer Nearer
5. Closer Closeer 10. Windyer Windier
Notice that with the verb be there are two possibilities:
(a) i. The kilometers is the longest metric unit of measurement
ii. The longest metric unit of measurement is the kilometers.
(b) i . Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world
ii. The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest
(Which are the two fronted sentences?)

Exercise 3.5 Answer these questions in complete sentences.

1. Which is the longest metric unit of measurement?
2. Which is the shorter metric unit of measurement?
3. Which is the heaviest metal?
4. Which is fhe lightest gas?
5. Which is the simplest atom?
6. Which is the most complicated atom?
7. Which is the biggest city in the world?
8. Which is the least expensive metal?
9. Which are the most important oil-producing countries?
10. Which subject do you find most difficult and why?