Question

Parallax method is used to measure small distances between molecules?
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, we have to use the basic definition of parallax method. Parallax method measures the distance of an object through the displacement of the object as viewed along two different lines of view. Relating this fact for the case of microscopic size molecules, we will get the answer.

Complete step-by-step solution
In our daily life, there is a need to measure various distances, for example, the measurement of a cloth, dimensions of a room etc. Various measuring tools exist to carry out the desired measurement. But when it comes to measuring the large distances, such as the distance of a star from a point on the earth, or the distance of a distant ship from a beach, it is nearly impossible to carry out the actual measurement.
For this reason, the method of parallax is used. In this method, when the distance of an object is measured from a given point, the displacement in the apparent position of the object is measured when it is viewed from two different sights of view. This displacement in the apparent position of the object is measured as the half of the angle between the lines of the two sights of view, and is known as the parallax.
But the method of parallax is limited to the measurement of large distances only. As is clear from the definition of the parallax method, it is dependent upon the change in the apparent position of the object. But when the object is as small as a molecule, as given in the question, due to the microscopic size the displacement will become negligible and hence insignificant. So the parallax will be zero and thus we will not be able to measure the small distances between the molecules.
Therefore, the given statement is false.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note
We all experience parallax in our daily life. When we look out of the window of a moving vehicle, we see the objects more nearer to us to be moving relatively fast than those located far away. This is due to the fact that the parallax is more for the nearby object than for the distant objects.