User:Hillgentleman/biology-physics interaction

From Wikiversity

Let us consider the following hypothetical and highly simplified situation.

Let there be two planets "M" and "E". Planet "M" is rich in mineral and poor in carbon and oxygen. Intelligent life-forms on M have developed advanced physics and everybody knows radio-active decay; population is sparse, biology is poorly understood, and they have never worried about population growth.

Planet "E" is the opposite. It is rich in carbon and oxygen and poor in minerals. The ecosystem is very diverse; Intelligent life-forms on E have studied biology deeply; they know everything about population growth, climates, and balances; but they know very little about atomic physics.

Tomorrow a member from planet E and a member from planet M are to meet. (How) are they supposed to know (or learn) that radio-active decay and population growth are governed by (almost) the same equation and follow (almost) the same function?