What is an example of zero exponent in nature?

Question

This concept is difficult for non-professionals to grasp, and I admit that I can't even conceive of how this exists in nature, as opposed to proving that 2+2=4 by a more traditional explanation such as grouping objects together.

Does some number taken to the zero power exist in nature? If so, please describe it.

Ruben Kruepper · Accepted Answer · 2020-11-17T18:06:34.177

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Yes, it does. If you have an exponential function to, for instance, describe a population that doubles daily and starts at $a$ $$p(x) = a2^x$$

then taking $2^0$, should naturally equal $1$, because at time $0$, the population is exactly the starting population $a$.

edited Nov 17 '20 at 18:06

answered Nov 17 '20 at 18:01

Ruben Kruepper

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Of course! Can you think of any others? Thank you! – WannabeHolyPerson Nov 17 '20 at 18:03
@WannabeHolyPerson, look at these: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/~evans/PHYS-Skills/Exponentials%20in%20Physics.pdf For all of them, try setting the variable in the exponent to $0$, then think about the physical implications of doing that (no time passed, the obstacle has no thickness, etc.) – Ruben Kruepper Nov 17 '20 at 18:06
A population of Covid-19 infected people, with $2^0$ people infected on day 0 (bad joke sorry) – Rüdi Jehn Nov 17 '20 at 18:06
@RüdiJehn sadly, that was probably enough... – Ruben Kruepper Nov 17 '20 at 18:21

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 17 '20 at 18:08

In the case of radioactive decay, the amount of non-decayed substance is

$$f(t)=A2^{-\frac{t}{T}}$$

where $A$ is the initial quantity, $t$ is time, and $T$ is the half-time of the decay. Plugging $t=0$ yields $f(0)=A$, the initial quantity, as expected.

What is an example of zero exponent in nature?

2 Answers2