Deck 13: Hypotheticalscientific Reasoning

Question 1

One of the functions of a hypothesis is to:

A) Close the gap between fact and theory.
B) Eliminate the need for evidence.
C) Introduce certainty into science.
D) Eliminate the need for an explanation.
E) Direct the search for evidence.

Answer 1

Direct the search for evidence.

Question 2

In regard to the discovery of Neptune, the work of Adams and Leverrier:

A) Told astronomers where to look for the new planet.
B) Predicted the color of the new planet.
C) Predicted the mineral composition of the new planet.
D) Served to correct errors in the calculated orbit of Uranus.
E) Revealed for the first time the gravitational interaction between Uranus, Jupiter, and Saturn.

Answer 2

Told astronomers where to look for the new planet.

Question 3

Pasteur's hypothesis involving spontaneous generation was:

A) Life arises from the application of heat to nutrient solutions.
B) Life comes only from life.
C) Primitive life forms are present in yeast.
D) Life forms are present in the tails of comets.
E) Life arises from the spontaneous synthesis of organic chemicals.

Answer 3

Life comes only from life.

Question 4

How well a hypothesis fits the facts it is intended to explain is a measure of its:

A) Fruitfulness.
B) External consistency.
C) Adequacy.
D) Internal coherence.
E) Rationality.

Question 5

Hypotheses that concern how something should be conceptualized are called:

A) Psychological hypotheses.
B) Scientific hypotheses.
C) Conceptual hypotheses.
D) Empirical hypotheses.
E) Theoretical hypotheses.

Question 6

Hypothetical reasoning is typically used to produce:

A) Categorical syllogisms.
B) Explanations.
C) Arguments from analogy.
D) Causal inferences.
E) Conditional statements.

Question 7

A hypothesis is:

A) A conjecture created by the mind of the investigator.
B) A conclusion derived from the evidence.
C) A deductive implication from a higher level theory.
D) A prediction derived from prior observations.
E) A refined observation suggested by preliminary observations.

Question 8

How well the component ideas in a hypothesis are interconnected is a measure of that hypothesis':

A) Fruitfulness.
B) Internal coherence.
C) Adequacy.
D) Dependability.
E) External consistency.

Question 9

A key discovery underlying Marie Curie's hypothesis about radium was that:

A) Pitchblende emits less radiation than pure uranium.
B) Thorium emits more radiation than pitchblende.
C) Pitchblende emits more radiation than pure uranium.
D) Pitchblende emits more radiation than radium.
E) Radium emits more radiation than thorium.

Question 10

The degree to which a hypothesis does not conflict with other, well established hypotheses is a measure of its:

A) External consistency.
B) Respectability.
C) Internal coherence.
D) Fruitfulness.
E) Adequacy.

Question 11

Suppose that a detective formulates the hypothesis that a pair of gloves found at the scene of a burglary belongs to the burglar. Such a hypothesis is called:

A) An empirical hypothesis.
B) A tentative hypothesis.
C) A theoretical hypothesis.
D) A conjectural hypothesis.
E) An investigational hypothesis.

Question 12

If an implication derived from a hypothesis turns out to be true, then:

A) The implication is used to test other hypotheses.
B) The hypothesis is proven to be true.
C) The hypothesis becomes a law.
D) The hypothesis is usually discarded.
E) The hypothesis is inductively supported.

Question 13

Suppose an implication is derived from a hypothesis, and the implication turns out to be true. This fact:

A) Makes the hypothesis easier to understand.
B) Tends to confirm the hypothesis.
C) Proves the hypothesis true.
D) Sheds light on the hypothesis.
E) Has no effect on the acceptability of the hypothesis.

Question 14

The underlying problem that led to the discovery of Neptune was:

A) Why the orbital path of Uranus deviated from what was predicted.
B) Why the orbit of Uranus is elliptical.
C) Why the orbital path of Saturn deviated from what was predicted.
D) Why the moons of Jupiter failed to influence the rotation of Jupiter.
E) Why Saturn has a greater mass than Uranus.

Question 15

One of the hypotheses Pasteur offered to explain the emergence of microbes in sterilized nutrient solutions was that:

A) Microbes were deposited by dust particles in the air.
B) Temperature resistant spores were present in the solution prior to boiling.
C) Microbes arose from the agency of oxygen on the solution.
D) The container holding the solution had not been properly sanitized.
E) Microbes arose from a chemical reaction in the solution.

Question 16

Hypothetical reasoning is used to produce an explanation for the occurrence of a phenomenon when:

A) The phenomenon is not observable.
B) The reason for its occurrence is incomprehensible.
C) The phenomenon is not measurable.
D) The reason for its occurrence is not immediately observable.
E) The reason for its occurrence lies outside the realm of science.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT involved in the hypothetical method?

A) The occurrence of a problem.
B) Drawing implications from the hypothesis.
C) Attempting to falsify the hypothesis.
D) Testing the implications.
E) Formulating a hypothesis.

Question 18

The extent to which a hypothesis suggests new ideas for future analysis and confirmation is a measure of its:

A) Internal coherence.
B) Adequacy.
C) Fruitfulness.
D) External consistency.
E) Rationality.

Question 19

One of the underlying problems that led to the discovery of atmospheric pressure was:

A) Why barometers work better on mountain tops than they do in valleys.
B) Why vacuum pumps were more effective than siphons.
C) Why it is harder to open a wine barrel in the winter than in the summer.
D) Why siphons would not work beyond certain height limitations.
E) Why fermentation occurs more rapidly in sealed containers than in open containers.

Question 20

Marie Curie discovered radium by breaking down:

A) Polonium.
B) Uranium.
C) Thorium.
D) Pitchblende.
E) Plutonium.

Question 21

In relation to earlier theories, Maxwell's theory of the electromagnetic field, which unified the phenomena of light, electricity, and magnetism, is:

A) More externally consistent.
B) More adequate.
C) More fruitful.
D) More internally coherent.
E) More phenomenalistic.

Question 22

Which of the following problems would likely require a hypothetical explanation?

A) Why you apply sunscreen when you go to the beach.
B) Why your gas powered lawnmower refuses to start.
C) Why you spray fertilizer on the plants in your garden.
D) Why you get a haircut.
E) Why the fish you put in the refrigerator a week ago smells bad.

Question 23

The ability of Torricelli's hypothesis about atmospheric pressure to suggest the design of the barometer is an illustration of:

A) External consistency.
B) Internal coherence.
C) Fruitfulness.
D) Predictability.
E) Adequacy.

Question 24

One of the problems that led to the discovery of atmospheric pressure was:

A) Why Gasparo Berti's experiment worked in Rome but not in Florence.
B) Why it was impossible to siphon mercury from one container to another.
C) Why suction pumps failed to work on mountain tops.
D) Why the water in Gasparo Berti's glass pipe always descended to the same level.
E) Why water boils at a lower temperature on mountaintops than it does at sea level.

Question 25

Suppose an implication derived from a hypotheses turns out to be false. This occurrence:

A) Indicates that the hypothesis was derived inductively.
B) Shows that the hypothesis should never have been formulated.
C) Proves that the hypothesis is grounded in defective reasoning.
D) Indicates that the hypothesis was derived deductively.
E) Provides evidence that the hypothesis is false.

Question 26

An implication of the hypothesis leading to the discovery of Neptune was:

A) Examination of the orbit of Neptune would reveal the existence of a ninth planet.
B) A powerful telescope could detect a previously unseen satellite of Uranus.
C) The gravitational field of Uranus caused perturbations in the orbit of Saturn.
D) Directing a telescope to a particular region of the sky would reveal a new planet.
E) The combined mass of Neptune and Uranus was less than the mass of Saturn.

Question 27

One of the implications of the atmospheric pressure hypothesis was:

A) It is impossible to produce a pure vacuum.
B) The pressure of the atmosphere would support a column of mercury about 29 inches high.
C) The pressure of the atmosphere is higher on mountaintops than it is in valleys.
D) The pressure of the atmosphere would support a column of water about 29 inches high.
E) Water freezes at a lower temperature at sea level than it does on mountaintops.

Question 28

Prior to the work of Louis Pasteur, the emergence of organisms such as worms, frogs, and eels was explained by:

A) The theory that nature abhors a vacuum.
B) The theory that organisms of this sort are causes by flies.
C) The theory that organisms of this sort are caused by cosmic dust.
D) The theory of spontaneous generation.
E) Aristotle's theory of hylomorphism.

Question 29

The agreement of Marie Curie's hypothesis about the existence of radium with Mendeleev's periodic table of the elements is an illustration of:

A) Predictability.
B) Internal coherence.
C) Fruitfulness.
D) Adequacy.
E) External consistency.

Question 30

One of the implications of the radium hypothesis was:

A) Mixing pure uranium with impurities would increase the emission of rays.
B) Mixing uranium with radioactive thorium would increase the emission of rays.
C) Mixing pitchblende with impurities would increase the emission of rays.
D) An electrometer could be used to measure the intensity of the rays emitted by pitchblende.
E) An electrometer could be used to measure the intensity of X-rays.

Question 31

The hypotheses leading to the discovery of Neptune and Radium can be called:

A) Conditional hypotheses.
B) Theoretical hypotheses.
C) Astronomical hypotheses.
D) Conceptual hypotheses.
E) Empirical hypothesis.

Question 32

One of the hypotheses involved in the discovery of radium was:

A) Pure uranium contained an unknown element later known as radium.
B) The intense rays emitted by pitchblende were caused by uranium.
C) The intense rays emitted by pitchblende were caused by impurities in the crystals.
D) It would be possible to produce a radioactive isotope of barium.
E) Mendeleev's periodic table of the elements was incorrect in some respects.

Question 33

The key problem underlying the discovery of radium was:

A) Why certain isotopes of thorium are radioactive.
B) Why uranium has the power to darken photographic plates.
C) Why pitchblende emits rays that are stronger than rays emitted by pure uranium.
D) Why rays emitted by thorium are stronger than rays emitted by uranium.
E) Why X-rays are stronger than rays emitted by pure uranium.

Question 34

Prior to the discovery of atmospheric pressure, the operation of siphons was explained by the principle that:

A) Water is naturally drawn into a region of least pressure.
B) The water in siphons is supported by demons.
C) Nature abhors a vacuum.
D) Water rises in an open tube by capillary action.
E) Higher pressure results in a greater volume of flow.

Question 35

The biologist John Needham hypothesized that:

A) Life is created through the agency of hydrogen.
B) Life comes only from life.
C) Life is created by the action of oxygen on a nutrient solution.
D) The seeds of all living forms are hidden in water.
E) Microbes are deposited in nutrient solutions by dust particles in the air.

Question 36

Prior to the discovery of atmospheric pressure, the failure of wine to pour from the bottom of a barrel unless an opening was made in the top was explained by:

A) The Empedoclean theory of the four elements.
B) The Aristotelian theory of natural place.
C) The fact that all seventeenth century wine barrels were made from oak.
D) The fact that fermentation produces sediment, which clogs the tap.
E) The principle that nature abhors a vacuum.

Question 37

One problem relating to the proof of hypotheses is that:

A) Observation is theory dependent.
B) Hypotheses are not observable things.
C) Every hypothesis is eventually disproved.
D) The number of implications derivable from a hypothesis is limited.
E) Most hypotheses entail inconsistent implications.

Question 38

One of the implications of the atmospheric pressure hypothesis is that:

A) A properly constructed vacuum pump would operate to a height of about 45 feet.
B) The atmosphere would support a column of mercury to a height of about 29 inches.
C) Storms are always accompanied by an increase in atmospheric pressure.
D) Barometers do not work as well on mountain tops as they do at sea level.
E) Water boils at a higher temperature on mountain tops than it does at sea level.

Question 39

Because Einstein's theory of relativity accounted for the precise time of certain eclipses with greater accuracy than did Newton's theory, Einstein's theory is:

A) More externally consistent.
B) More adequate.
C) More fruitful.
D) More internally coherent
E) More rational.

Question 40

The theory of spontaneous generation held that:

A) Life arises spontaneously from lifeless matter.
B) Life arises spontaneously from sexual reproduction.
C) Life arises spontaneously from various forms of vegetable nutrients.
D) Life arises only from other forms of life.
E) Life arises spontaneously from the action of an electric spark on certain amino acids.

Question 41

The ability of Pasteur's hypothesis to suggest procedures for maintaining sterile conditions in hospitals is an illustration of:

A) Internal coherence.
B) Adequacy.
C) External consistency.
D) Fruitfulness.
E) Reductivity.

Question 42

The ability of the atmospheric pressure hypothesis to link the behavior of barometers with the behavior of siphons and vacuum pumps is an illustration of:

A) Internal coherence.
B) External consistency.
C) Fruitfulness.
D) Adequacy.
E) Reductivity.

Question 43

The ability of Kepler's hypothesis to account for the position of the planets with greater accuracy than Copernicus's relates to the issue of:

A) External consistency.
B) Adequacy.
C) Fruitfulness.
D) Internal coherence.
E) Reductivity.

Question 44

An example of an empirical hypothesis is:

A) Life comes only from life.
B) Nature abhors a vacuum.
C) An undiscovered planet is responsible for deviations in the orbit of Uranus.
D) Life is spontaneously generated from lifeless matter.
E) Space and time are relative to each other.

Question 45

One of Pasteur's hypotheses was that:

A) Boiling a nutrient solution destroyed its "vegetative force."
B) Worms in rotting meat are caused by flies.
C) A microscope would reveal multiple life forms in pond water.
D) Heating oxygen destroyed its capacity to produce life.
E) Life forms are carried by dust particles in the atmosphere.