Question 1

If you observe the night sky in the direction of the North Star, you will observe that

Accepted Answer

A)  the other stars near the north star move along counterclockwise circles around the north star during the night. 
B)  the north star moves westward across the sky during the night. 
C)  the north star moves eastward across the sky during the night. 
D)  the other stars near the north star move along clockwise circles around the north star during the night. 
E)  the other stars near the north star move in straight lines from east to west during the night. 
A)  the other stars near the north star move along counterclockwise circles around the north star during the night. 
B)  the north star moves westward across the sky during the night. 
C)  the north star moves eastward across the sky during the night. 
D)  the other stars near the north star move along clockwise circles around the north star during the night. 
E)  the other stars near the north star move in straight lines from east to west during the night. A

Question 2

Chapter 1 contains a quotation by author Norman Mailer from his book Of a Fire on the Moon. Mailer's point is that

Accepted Answer

A)  quantum theory shows that the universe is infinitely deep and subtle. 
B)  physics professors are a bunch of crackpots. 
C)  science is leading us toward a greater understanding of the important truths in life. 
D)  with the help of science and technology, we are solving most of the world's social problems. 
E)  science and technology give us power over nature but our culture we don't know how to use that power. 
A)  quantum theory shows that the universe is infinitely deep and subtle. 
B)  physics professors are a bunch of crackpots. 
C)  science is leading us toward a greater understanding of the important truths in life. 
D)  with the help of science and technology, we are solving most of the world's social problems. 
E)  science and technology give us power over nature but our culture we don't know how to use that power. E

Question 3

Copernicus proposed his theory because

Accepted Answer

A)  Ptolemy's theory was based on discredited religious myths. 
B)  the predictions of Ptolemy's theory disagreed with the observed data. 
C)  he sought a more comprehensive theory that would explain not only the solar system but the rest of the known universe as well. 
D)  Ptolemy's theory was too complicated, messy, and unsatisfying. 
E)  Ptolemy's theory disagreed with Catholic Church teaching. 
A)  Ptolemy's theory was based on discredited religious myths. 
B)  the predictions of Ptolemy's theory disagreed with the observed data. 
C)  he sought a more comprehensive theory that would explain not only the solar system but the rest of the known universe as well. 
D)  Ptolemy's theory was too complicated, messy, and unsatisfying. 
E)  Ptolemy's theory disagreed with Catholic Church teaching. D

Question 4

Which of the following is not one of the four general themes or "story lines" that underlie this course?

Accepted Answer

A)  comparisons and contrasts between Newtonian and contemporary physics 
B)  practical "household" science that you can use around your home, your car, etc. 
C)  how we know what we know in science 
D)  energy 
E)  the social context of physics 
A)  comparisons and contrasts between Newtonian and contemporary physics 
B)  practical "household" science that you can use around your home, your car, etc. 
C)  how we know what we know in science 
D)  energy 
E)  the social context of physics

Question 5

Is it possible to prove, for certain, that a scientific theory is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, by taking a vote among all of the scientists who are experts concerning that theory. 
B)  Yes, by performing a large number of experiments and finding that the outcomes that dispute the theory outnumber the outcomes that support the theory. 
C)  Yes, by means of a single confirmed experiment that contradicts the theory. 
D)  No, because it is always possible that future experiments will agree with the theory. 
E)  No, because science can never be certain of anything. 
A)  Yes, by taking a vote among all of the scientists who are experts concerning that theory. 
B)  Yes, by performing a large number of experiments and finding that the outcomes that dispute the theory outnumber the outcomes that support the theory. 
C)  Yes, by means of a single confirmed experiment that contradicts the theory. 
D)  No, because it is always possible that future experiments will agree with the theory. 
E)  No, because science can never be certain of anything.

Question 6

What is the scientific community's view of the scientific value of astrology?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is unscientific, because it does not support its theories with clear and verifiable predictions about observations. 
B)  Even though its predictions are occasionally inaccurate, it does deserve to be classified as a true science. 
C)  It is unscientific, because its predictions have been shown to be incorrect. 
D)  It is scientific, even though it is not related to the "real world" of observed phenomena. 
E)  It is unscientific, because its practitioners do not understand the principles of physics or astronomy. 
A)  It is unscientific, because it does not support its theories with clear and verifiable predictions about observations. 
B)  Even though its predictions are occasionally inaccurate, it does deserve to be classified as a true science. 
C)  It is unscientific, because its predictions have been shown to be incorrect. 
D)  It is scientific, even though it is not related to the "real world" of observed phenomena. 
E)  It is unscientific, because its practitioners do not understand the principles of physics or astronomy.

Question 7

Regarding Ptolemy's and Copernicus's theories of astronomy, today we find that

Accepted Answer

A)  both theories are false because we know that Kepler's theory is correct and precisely accurate. 
B)  Copernicus's theory is still useful, but more accurate theories are available today. 
C)  Copernicus's theory is correct. 
D)  Ptolemy's theory is correct. 
E)  both theories are useless because they disagree with the highly accurate measurements available today. 
A)  both theories are false because we know that Kepler's theory is correct and precisely accurate. 
B)  Copernicus's theory is still useful, but more accurate theories are available today. 
C)  Copernicus's theory is correct. 
D)  Ptolemy's theory is correct. 
E)  both theories are useless because they disagree with the highly accurate measurements available today.

Question 8

If a man says to you that he is absolutely certain of some idea, you can conclude that

Accepted Answer

A)  he is right. 
B)  he is a fanatic. 
C)  he is not being scientific. 
D)  if his idea really is absolutely true then it must be based on scientific reasoning. 
E)  he is wrong. 
A)  he is right. 
B)  he is a fanatic. 
C)  he is not being scientific. 
D)  if his idea really is absolutely true then it must be based on scientific reasoning. 
E)  he is wrong.

Question 9

Which of these is the correct definition for an ellipse?

Accepted Answer

A)  Each point on the ellipse is the same distance from one fixed point. 
B)  The sum of the distances of a point on the ellipse from two fixed points is the same, for each point on the ellipse. 
C)  All points on the ellipse are an equal distance apart. 
D)  Each point on the ellipse lies on a smooth oval curve around one fixed point. 
E)  Each pair of points on the ellipse is the same distance from one fixed point. 
A)  Each point on the ellipse is the same distance from one fixed point. 
B)  The sum of the distances of a point on the ellipse from two fixed points is the same, for each point on the ellipse. 
C)  All points on the ellipse are an equal distance apart. 
D)  Each point on the ellipse lies on a smooth oval curve around one fixed point. 
E)  Each pair of points on the ellipse is the same distance from one fixed point.

Question 10

According to the consensus among those scientists who have studied the question, what is the scientific status of the notion that Earth is now or was in the past visited by extraterrestrial life?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although extraterrestrial life is implausible on general theoretical grounds, there is observational evidence for it. 
B)  Although extraterrestrial life is theoretically plausible, and there is observational evidence for it, most scientists still will not accept the conclusion that we have been visited because it seems too unconventional or "kooky." 
C)  Extraterrestrial life is implausible on general theoretical grounds, and there is no real evidence that Earth has been visited by extraterrestrials. 
D)  Extraterrestrial life is theoretically plausible, and there is real observational evidence for it, which is why most scientists believe that we have been visited. 
E)  Although there is no real evidence that Earth has been visited by extraterrestrials, extraterrestrial life is theoretically plausible. 
A)  Although extraterrestrial life is implausible on general theoretical grounds, there is observational evidence for it. 
B)  Although extraterrestrial life is theoretically plausible, and there is observational evidence for it, most scientists still will not accept the conclusion that we have been visited because it seems too unconventional or "kooky." 
C)  Extraterrestrial life is implausible on general theoretical grounds, and there is no real evidence that Earth has been visited by extraterrestrials. 
D)  Extraterrestrial life is theoretically plausible, and there is real observational evidence for it, which is why most scientists believe that we have been visited. 
E)  Although there is no real evidence that Earth has been visited by extraterrestrials, extraterrestrial life is theoretically plausible.

Question 11

How did ancient Greeks such as Aristotle know that Earth is round?

Accepted Answer

A)  The shadow cast by Earth on the moon during an eclipse is the shape that would be expected if both Earth and the moon were spherical. 
B)  By noting that ships drop below the horizon as they go out to sea. 
C)  Travelers reported that, in northern lands, the noontime sun is lower in the sky. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  Actually, the ancient Greeks thought that Earth is flat. 
A)  The shadow cast by Earth on the moon during an eclipse is the shape that would be expected if both Earth and the moon were spherical. 
B)  By noting that ships drop below the horizon as they go out to sea. 
C)  Travelers reported that, in northern lands, the noontime sun is lower in the sky. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  Actually, the ancient Greeks thought that Earth is flat.

Question 12

In Ptolemy's theory,

Accepted Answer

A)  the planets move in circles- within- circles ["loop- the - loops"] around Earth. 
B)  the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun. 
C)  the planets move in circles around Earth. 
D)  the planets move in circles around the sun. 
E)  the planets move in circles- within- circles around the sun. 
A)  the planets move in circles- within- circles ["loop- the - loops"] around Earth. 
B)  the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun. 
C)  the planets move in circles around Earth. 
D)  the planets move in circles around the sun. 
E)  the planets move in circles- within- circles around the sun.

Question 13

Did Tycho's data prove that Kepler' theory was true?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, because some of Tycho's observations were incorrect. 
B)  No, because Tycho's data disagreed with Kepler's theory. 
C)  No, because observations can never completely prove the truth of scientific theory. 
D)  Yes, because Kepler's theory agreed with all of Tycho's data. 
E)  Yes, because Tycho's data ruled out the competing theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus. 
A)  No, because some of Tycho's observations were incorrect. 
B)  No, because Tycho's data disagreed with Kepler's theory. 
C)  No, because observations can never completely prove the truth of scientific theory. 
D)  Yes, because Kepler's theory agreed with all of Tycho's data. 
E)  Yes, because Tycho's data ruled out the competing theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus.

Question 14

One of the four main themes or "story lines" that will keep appearing throughout this course is

Accepted Answer

A)  Newton's laws. 
B)  nuclear war. 
C)  the idea that everything is relative. 
D)  the methods of science. 
E)  the idea that everything is made of atoms. 
A)  Newton's laws. 
B)  nuclear war. 
C)  the idea that everything is relative. 
D)  the methods of science. 
E)  the idea that everything is made of atoms.

Question 15

As Kepler's first attempt to invent a theory that agreed with Tycho's data, he tried to "fit" the data for Mars to an orbit that was

Accepted Answer

A)  a circle with Earth at the center. 
B)  an ellipse with the sun at one focus. 
C)  a circle with the sun at the center. 
D)  an ellipse with Earth at one focus. 
E)  a loop- the- loop, i.e., a circle within a circle. 
A)  a circle with Earth at the center. 
B)  an ellipse with the sun at one focus. 
C)  a circle with the sun at the center. 
D)  an ellipse with Earth at one focus. 
E)  a loop- the- loop, i.e., a circle within a circle.

Question 16

A primary reason for you to learn science, according to the textbook's opening section, is

Accepted Answer

A)  to pass on Western culture to the next generation. 
B)  because a broadly educated person can get a better job. 
C)  to increase your awareness. 
D)  to increase your intelligence. 
E)  Actually there is no good reason all this scientific nonsense. 
A)  to pass on Western culture to the next generation. 
B)  because a broadly educated person can get a better job. 
C)  to increase your awareness. 
D)  to increase your intelligence. 
E)  Actually there is no good reason all this scientific nonsense.

Question 17

One of the primary justifications given, in the textbook's opening section, for this course is

Accepted Answer

A)  to transmit our cultural heritage to your generation and to future generations. 
B)  people with a broad education are happier. 
C)  so that you can learn useful skills such as the ability to repair things around the house. 
D)  because more broadly educated people get better- paying jobs upon graduation. 
E)  the evolutionary trend over billions of years has been toward increased awareness. 
A)  to transmit our cultural heritage to your generation and to future generations. 
B)  people with a broad education are happier. 
C)  so that you can learn useful skills such as the ability to repair things around the house. 
D)  because more broadly educated people get better- paying jobs upon graduation. 
E)  the evolutionary trend over billions of years has been toward increased awareness.

Question 18

Venus is usually either the "evening star" or the "morning star" because

Accepted Answer

A)  its orbit around the sun is outside Earth's orbit. 
B)  it is usually on the same side of the sun, relative to Earth. 
C)  it is usually on the opposite side of the sun, relative to Earth. 
D)  its orbit around the sun is inside Earth's orbit. 
E)  Actually, the evening or morning star is usually Mars, not Venus. 
A)  its orbit around the sun is outside Earth's orbit. 
B)  it is usually on the same side of the sun, relative to Earth. 
C)  it is usually on the opposite side of the sun, relative to Earth. 
D)  its orbit around the sun is inside Earth's orbit. 
E)  Actually, the evening or morning star is usually Mars, not Venus.

Question 19

The glow in the night sky known as the Milky Way is light coming from

Accepted Answer

A)  a large cloud of glowing gas far out in space. 
B)  a band of glowing gases in Earth's upper atmosphere. 
C)  stars in our own galaxy. 
D)  the reflection of sunlight off of a giant dust cloud that is illuminated by the sun. 
E)  another galaxy, adjacent to our own galaxy. 
A)  a large cloud of glowing gas far out in space. 
B)  a band of glowing gases in Earth's upper atmosphere. 
C)  stars in our own galaxy. 
D)  the reflection of sunlight off of a giant dust cloud that is illuminated by the sun. 
E)  another galaxy, adjacent to our own galaxy.

Question 20

A defining feature of "pseudoscience" is

Accepted Answer

A)  it does not use proper scientific methodology. 
B)  it is wrong. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  it is unusual, or odd. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  it does not use proper scientific methodology. 
B)  it is wrong. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  it is unusual, or odd. 
E)  All of the above.

If you observe the night sky in the direction of the North Star, you will observe that

Chapter 1 contains a quotation by author Norman Mailer from his book Of a Fire on the Moon. Mailer's point is that

Copernicus proposed his theory because

Which of the following is not one of the four general themes or "story lines" that underlie this course?

Is it possible to prove, for certain, that a scientific theory is false?

What is the scientific community's view of the scientific value of astrology?

Regarding Ptolemy's and Copernicus's theories of astronomy, today we find that

If a man says to you that he is absolutely certain of some idea, you can conclude that

Which of these is the correct definition for an ellipse?

According to the consensus among those scientists who have studied the question, what is the scientific status of the notion that Earth is now or was in the past visited by extraterrestrial life?

How did ancient Greeks such as Aristotle know that Earth is round?

In Ptolemy's theory,

Did Tycho's data prove that Kepler' theory was true?

One of the four main themes or "story lines" that will keep appearing throughout this course is

As Kepler's first attempt to invent a theory that agreed with Tycho's data, he tried to "fit" the data for Mars to an orbit that was

A primary reason for you to learn science, according to the textbook's opening section, is

One of the primary justifications given, in the textbook's opening section, for this course is

Venus is usually either the "evening star" or the "morning star" because

The glow in the night sky known as the Milky Way is light coming from

A defining feature of "pseudoscience" is

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters

Exam 1: The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

If you observe the night sky in the direction of the North Star, you will observe that

Chapter 1 contains a quotation by author Norman Mailer from his book Of a Fire on the Moon. Mailer's point is that

Copernicus proposed his theory because

Which of the following is not one of the four general themes or "story lines" that underlie this course?

Is it possible to prove, for certain, that a scientific theory is false?

What is the scientific community's view of the scientific value of astrology?

Regarding Ptolemy's and Copernicus's theories of astronomy, today we find that

If a man says to you that he is absolutely certain of some idea, you can conclude that

Which of these is the correct definition for an ellipse?

According to the consensus among those scientists who have studied the question, what is the scientific status of the notion that Earth is now or was in the past visited by extraterrestrial life?

How did ancient Greeks such as Aristotle know that Earth is round?

In Ptolemy's theory,

Did Tycho's data prove that Kepler' theory was true?

One of the four main themes or "story lines" that will keep appearing throughout this course is

As Kepler's first attempt to invent a theory that agreed with Tycho's data, he tried to "fit" the data for Mars to an orbit that was

A primary reason for you to learn science, according to the textbook's opening section, is

One of the primary justifications given, in the textbook's opening section, for this course is

Venus is usually either the "evening star" or the "morning star" because

The glow in the night sky known as the Milky Way is light coming from

A defining feature of "pseudoscience" is

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters