Question 1

One of the features of "pseudoscience" that distinguishes it from "science" is that pseudoscientific ideas are

Accepted Answer

A)  wrong. 
B)  unusual, or odd. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  held tentatively, as a hypothesis. 
E)  held dogmatically. 
A)  wrong. 
B)  unusual, or odd. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  held tentatively, as a hypothesis. 
E)  held dogmatically.

Question 2

"Physics" could best be described as the study of

Accepted Answer

A)  matter and atoms in motion. 
B)  the application of science to the needs of human beings. 
C)  energy. 
D)  the general principles underlying natural phenomena. 
E)  the laws, or absolute truths, of the natural world. 
A)  matter and atoms in motion. 
B)  the application of science to the needs of human beings. 
C)  energy. 
D)  the general principles underlying natural phenomena. 
E)  the laws, or absolute truths, of the natural world.

Question 3

Who originated the idea that planets go in ellipses around the sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ptolemy 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Copernicus 
D)  Brahe 
E)  Kepler 
A)  Ptolemy 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Copernicus 
D)  Brahe 
E)  Kepler

Question 4

The ancient Greeks, including Ptolemy, thought that the stars were

Accepted Answer

A)  scattered everywhere between Earth and the moon. 
B)  alive. 
C)  scattered throughout infinite space. 
D)  scattered everywhere between the moon and the inside surface of a large sphere that enclosed the universe. 
E)  fixed to the inside surface of a large sphere that enclosed the universe. 
A)  scattered everywhere between Earth and the moon. 
B)  alive. 
C)  scattered throughout infinite space. 
D)  scattered everywhere between the moon and the inside surface of a large sphere that enclosed the universe. 
E)  fixed to the inside surface of a large sphere that enclosed the universe.

Question 5

Which of the following represents a continuation of the general idea of the "Copernican revolution"?

Accepted Answer

A)  the idea that the human species is not very different biologically from the other species 
B)  the conservation laws such as conservation of energy 
C)  the idea that the universe was made for humans 
D)  the important role of science in the industrialized nations today 
E)  the idea that the universe originated in a "big bang" explosion 
A)  the idea that the human species is not very different biologically from the other species 
B)  the conservation laws such as conservation of energy 
C)  the idea that the universe was made for humans 
D)  the important role of science in the industrialized nations today 
E)  the idea that the universe originated in a "big bang" explosion

Question 6

The most characteristic feature of science is

Accepted Answer

A)  its precise quantitative observations. 
B)  its precise mathematical relations. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  the fact that scientific laws are absolutely true, i.e., that they have no exceptions. 
E)  the mutually- supporting relationship between theory and observation. 
A)  its precise quantitative observations. 
B)  its precise mathematical relations. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  the fact that scientific laws are absolutely true, i.e., that they have no exceptions. 
E)  the mutually- supporting relationship between theory and observation.

Question 7

Which statement best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Copernicus invented his theory [about 1550, and before Tycho]?

Accepted Answer

A)  Copernicus had proved that Ptolemy's theory was incorrect. 
B)  Both theories were known to be wrong. 
C)  Ptolemy's theory fit the experimental facts better than the Copernican theory. 
D)  Both theories agreed with the experimental facts. 
E)  Although Copernicus couldn't disprove Ptolemy's theory, the Copernican theory agreed much better with the experimental facts than did the Ptolemaic theory. 
A)  Copernicus had proved that Ptolemy's theory was incorrect. 
B)  Both theories were known to be wrong. 
C)  Ptolemy's theory fit the experimental facts better than the Copernican theory. 
D)  Both theories agreed with the experimental facts. 
E)  Although Copernicus couldn't disprove Ptolemy's theory, the Copernican theory agreed much better with the experimental facts than did the Ptolemaic theory.

Question 8

What aspect of Kepler's theory would have horrified all astronomers before Kepler?

Accepted Answer

A)  Kepler's simple circular orbits. 
B)  The fact that the Earth has a spherical shape in Kepler's theory. 
C)  The fact that Earth was no longer at the center. 
D)  Kepler's elliptical orbits. 
E)  The absence of any epicycles [or "circles- within- circles"]. 
A)  Kepler's simple circular orbits. 
B)  The fact that the Earth has a spherical shape in Kepler's theory. 
C)  The fact that Earth was no longer at the center. 
D)  Kepler's elliptical orbits. 
E)  The absence of any epicycles [or "circles- within- circles"].

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A)  it might help you earn a living. 
B)  the world needs your help in dealing with today's science- related social issues. 
C)  so that you can understand how the practical devices around you, such as kitchen appliances, work. 
D)  to improve your ability to reason properly. 
E)  physics is intrinsically interesting. 
A)  it might help you earn a living. 
B)  the world needs your help in dealing with today's science- related social issues. 
C)  so that you can understand how the practical devices around you, such as kitchen appliances, work. 
D)  to improve your ability to reason properly. 
E)  physics is intrinsically interesting.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, by means of a single confirmed experiment that verifies the theory. 
B)  Yes, by carrying out a sufficient number of experimental observations. 
C)  Yes, by deducing it logically from other scientific theories that are known to be true. 
D)  No, because it is always possible that a future experiment will disagree with the theory. 
E)  No, because of the experimental error, or uncertainty, that is always present in any experimental result. 
A)  Yes, by means of a single confirmed experiment that verifies the theory. 
B)  Yes, by carrying out a sufficient number of experimental observations. 
C)  Yes, by deducing it logically from other scientific theories that are known to be true. 
D)  No, because it is always possible that a future experiment will disagree with the theory. 
E)  No, because of the experimental error, or uncertainty, that is always present in any experimental result.

Question 11

In Ptolemy's theory, retrograde planetary motion is explained as

Accepted Answer

A)  a result of Earth's motion: as Earth passes another planet, that planet appears to move backward as seen against the background stars. 
B)  due to the natural wandering of the celestial sphere of background stars. 
C)  the backward part of the planet's loop- the- loop orbits around Earth. 
D)  due to the back- and- forth or "oscillatory" motion that planets make as they move along their circular orbits around Earth. 
E)  Actually he didn't have an explanation for this. 
A)  a result of Earth's motion: as Earth passes another planet, that planet appears to move backward as seen against the background stars. 
B)  due to the natural wandering of the celestial sphere of background stars. 
C)  the backward part of the planet's loop- the- loop orbits around Earth. 
D)  due to the back- and- forth or "oscillatory" motion that planets make as they move along their circular orbits around Earth. 
E)  Actually he didn't have an explanation for this.

Question 12

Chapter 1 contains a quotation by Albert Einstein. Einstein's point is that

Accepted Answer

A)  with the help of modern physics we can unravel the mysteries of the physical universe. 
B)  the theory of relativity shows that the universe is infinitely deep and subtle. 
C)  quantum theory shows that the universe is infinitely deep and subtle. 
D)  science might either save us or destroy us. 
E)  we must free ourselves from the illusion that we are separate from the rest of the universe. 
A)  with the help of modern physics we can unravel the mysteries of the physical universe. 
B)  the theory of relativity shows that the universe is infinitely deep and subtle. 
C)  quantum theory shows that the universe is infinitely deep and subtle. 
D)  science might either save us or destroy us. 
E)  we must free ourselves from the illusion that we are separate from the rest of the universe.

Question 13

The most significant difference between the astronomical theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus is

Accepted Answer

A)  Ptolemy uses circular planetary orbits while Copernicus uses elliptical orbits. 
B)  Ptolemy's theory does away with many of the complexities of the Copernican theory. 
C)  Ptolemy's theory is Earth- centered, whereas Copernicus's is sun- centered. 
D)  Ptolemy's is not based on scientific evidence, while Copernicus's is. 
E)  Ptolemy's theory is sun- centered, whereas Copernicus's is Earth- centered. 
A)  Ptolemy uses circular planetary orbits while Copernicus uses elliptical orbits. 
B)  Ptolemy's theory does away with many of the complexities of the Copernican theory. 
C)  Ptolemy's theory is Earth- centered, whereas Copernicus's is sun- centered. 
D)  Ptolemy's is not based on scientific evidence, while Copernicus's is. 
E)  Ptolemy's theory is sun- centered, whereas Copernicus's is Earth- centered.

Question 14

Which of the following developed the theory that the planets circle the sun rather than circling Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Brahe 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Copernicus 
D)  Kepler 
E)  Ptolemy 
A)  Brahe 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Copernicus 
D)  Kepler 
E)  Ptolemy

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A)  understanding the structure and origin of our planet and of life on Earth. 
B)  how to solve simple numerical physics problems 
C)  solving the problem of nuclear war. 
D)  contrasts and comparisons between Newtonian and contemporary physics. 
E)  understanding how household appliances and other familiar technological gadgets work. 
A)  understanding the structure and origin of our planet and of life on Earth. 
B)  how to solve simple numerical physics problems 
C)  solving the problem of nuclear war. 
D)  contrasts and comparisons between Newtonian and contemporary physics. 
E)  understanding how household appliances and other familiar technological gadgets work.

Question 16

Of the many different features of the scientific method, one feature is the most important. Without it, we should not call a field a "science." This feature is

Accepted Answer

A)  the interaction between theory and observation. 
B)  the use of only those theories that are known, for certain, to be true. 
C)  the use of mathematics. 
D)  the use of quantitative measurements. 
E)  that the results should lead to some useful technological application [for example, a useful medical treatment]. 
A)  the interaction between theory and observation. 
B)  the use of only those theories that are known, for certain, to be true. 
C)  the use of mathematics. 
D)  the use of quantitative measurements. 
E)  that the results should lead to some useful technological application [for example, a useful medical treatment].

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A)  From the ancient manuscripts of authors such as Homer. 
B)  By triangulation (measuring the distance between 2 points, and measuring 2 angles, to determine the distance to a 3rd point). 
C)  By noting that ships drop below the horizon as they go out to sea. 
D)  Careful measurements of the distance, along Earth's surface, between two widely separated points showed it to be longer than the straight- line distance. 
E)  Actually, the ancient Greeks thought that Earth is flat. 
A)  From the ancient manuscripts of authors such as Homer. 
B)  By triangulation (measuring the distance between 2 points, and measuring 2 angles, to determine the distance to a 3rd point). 
C)  By noting that ships drop below the horizon as they go out to sea. 
D)  Careful measurements of the distance, along Earth's surface, between two widely separated points showed it to be longer than the straight- line distance. 
E)  Actually, the ancient Greeks thought that Earth is flat.

Question 18

According to author Norman Mailer from his book Of a Fire on the Moon, quoted in the opening section,

Accepted Answer

A)  the creation of Earth was a beautiful and spiritually significant event for the human race. 
B)  intelligent extraterrestrial life forms probably exist in many places, and may visit Earth in the near future. 
C)  the establishment of a technology base on the moon is a crucial step in the exploration of the solar system. 
D)  science is moving us rapidly along new paths, but we haven't stopped to consider where those paths might lead. 
E)  powerful new science- based technologies are bringing about a better life on this planet. 
A)  the creation of Earth was a beautiful and spiritually significant event for the human race. 
B)  intelligent extraterrestrial life forms probably exist in many places, and may visit Earth in the near future. 
C)  the establishment of a technology base on the moon is a crucial step in the exploration of the solar system. 
D)  science is moving us rapidly along new paths, but we haven't stopped to consider where those paths might lead. 
E)  powerful new science- based technologies are bringing about a better life on this planet.

Question 19

The Greeks abandoned their earliest cosmological theory (planets moving in simple circles around Earth) because

Accepted Answer

A)  it did not agree with their observations of the planets. 
B)  it seemed messy and unsatisfying. 
C)  they came to believe that the sun should be at the center of things. 
D)  they came to believe that Earth should be at the center of things. 
E)  Actually, they never did abandon or revise their earliest theory-- it was not altered until the time of Copernicus. 
A)  it did not agree with their observations of the planets. 
B)  it seemed messy and unsatisfying. 
C)  they came to believe that the sun should be at the center of things. 
D)  they came to believe that Earth should be at the center of things. 
E)  Actually, they never did abandon or revise their earliest theory-- it was not altered until the time of Copernicus.

Question 20

Which of the following statements best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Tycho Brahe's observations?

Accepted Answer

A)  These observations showed Copernicus's theory to be the correct one. 
B)  These observations showed Ptolemy's theory to be the correct one. 
C)  These observations turned out to have little or no bearing on either theory. 
D)  These observations showed both theories to be incorrect. 
E)  These observations showed both theories to be correct. 
A)  These observations showed Copernicus's theory to be the correct one. 
B)  These observations showed Ptolemy's theory to be the correct one. 
C)  These observations turned out to have little or no bearing on either theory. 
D)  These observations showed both theories to be incorrect. 
E)  These observations showed both theories to be correct.

One of the features of "pseudoscience" that distinguishes it from "science" is that pseudoscientific ideas are

"Physics" could best be described as the study of

Who originated the idea that planets go in ellipses around the sun?

The ancient Greeks, including Ptolemy, thought that the stars were

Which of the following represents a continuation of the general idea of the "Copernican revolution"?

The most characteristic feature of science is

Which statement best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Copernicus invented his theory [about 1550, and before Tycho]?

What aspect of Kepler's theory would have horrified all astronomers before Kepler?

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

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

In Ptolemy's theory, retrograde planetary motion is explained as

Chapter 1 contains a quotation by Albert Einstein. Einstein's point is that

The most significant difference between the astronomical theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus is

Which of the following developed the theory that the planets circle the sun rather than circling Earth?

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

Of the many different features of the scientific method, one feature is the most important. Without it, we should not call a field a "science." This feature is

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

According to author Norman Mailer from his book Of a Fire on the Moon, quoted in the opening section,

The Greeks abandoned their earliest cosmological theory (planets moving in simple circles around Earth) because

Which of the following statements best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Tycho Brahe's observations?

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

One of the features of "pseudoscience" that distinguishes it from "science" is that pseudoscientific ideas are

"Physics" could best be described as the study of

Who originated the idea that planets go in ellipses around the sun?

The ancient Greeks, including Ptolemy, thought that the stars were

Which of the following represents a continuation of the general idea of the "Copernican revolution"?

The most characteristic feature of science is

Which statement best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Copernicus invented his theory [about 1550, and before Tycho]?

What aspect of Kepler's theory would have horrified all astronomers before Kepler?

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

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

In Ptolemy's theory, retrograde planetary motion is explained as

Chapter 1 contains a quotation by Albert Einstein. Einstein's point is that

The most significant difference between the astronomical theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus is

Which of the following developed the theory that the planets circle the sun rather than circling Earth?

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

Of the many different features of the scientific method, one feature is the most important. Without it, we should not call a field a "science." This feature is

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

According to author Norman Mailer from his book Of a Fire on the Moon, quoted in the opening section,

The Greeks abandoned their earliest cosmological theory (planets moving in simple circles around Earth) because

Which of the following statements best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Tycho Brahe's observations?

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