An example of an every day comparison used to explain scale in science:
"In effect, LIGO, the laser gravitational interferometer, LIGO is a quantum sensor, because despite the fact it is kilometres in size, the length, and has mirrors which weigh the same as a human being, it is so delicately arranged, that it effectively acts like a quantum detector. And It's detecting a movement in a mirror over many kilometres less than the nucleus of an atom, which is the equivalent of the width of a human hair in the distance of the nearest star."
Prof. Paul Davies, Regents Professor of Physics, Arizona State University
Prof. Paul Davies (Arizona State University) was talking on an episode ('Space, Quantum Frontiers and Cosmic Clues') of BBC's 'Start the Week'
Read about quotidian comparisons
A document listing a wide range of examples of science analogies, similes, metaphors and other comparisons, drawn from diverse sources, can be downloaded using this link: 'Creative Comparisons: Making Science Familiar through Language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts.'
