Homework #1 (Chapter 1)

Why is physics considered to be the basic science? A. As physicist Paul Tipler says about sciences other than physics, "What other sciences?" B. Physics involves matter that is alive. C. Physics is about how atoms combine to form molecules. D. Because all other sciences can be shown to be derived from it.

D. Because all other sciences can be shown to be derived from it.

What is the role of equations in this book? A. Equations are guides to thinking and show connections between concepts. B. Equations will be derived to make you understand science. C. Equations are for plug-and-chug calculations. D. Equations are interesting side notes about scientific concepts.

A. Equations are guides to thinking and show connections between concepts.

A scientific hypothesis deemed valid must have a test for proving it ______. A. wrong B. more than one time C. none of these D. correct

A. wrong

The distance between Earth and the Sun is about _______. A. twice the distance to the Moon B. 110 Sun diameters C. 110 Moon diameters D. 150,000 m

B. 110 Sun diameters

How does the Moon's diameter compare with the distance between Earth and the Moon? A. The Moon's diameter is 1/3.5 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. B. The Moon's diameter is 1/110 the distance between Earth and the Moon. C. The Moon's diameter is 1/2.5 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. D. The Moon's diameter is equal to the distance between Earth and the Moon.

B. The Moon's diameter is 1/110 the distance between Earth and the Moon.

What are the circular spots of light seen on the ground beneath a tree on a sunny day? A. These are images of holes formed by gaps between leaves. B. These are pinhole images of the Sun. C. These are images of holes in leaves. D. These are blurry images of the point of light that is the Sun.

B. These are pinhole images of the Sun.

The Greek mathematician Eratosthenes made measurements to show the size of _______. A. the Sun B. the Moon C. Earth D. All of these

C. Earth

What are steps of the scientific method. A. Reasoning and derivation from axioms. B. Assembling and organizing facts and checking them against dogma. C. Hypothesis, predictions, and experimental findings. D. Using Occam's razor to eliminate excess facts.

C. Hypothesis, predictions, and experimental findings.

A theory in science is ______. A. an educated guess B. forever true C. a synthesis of well-tested ideas D. an agreement between trained investigators

C. a synthesis of well-tested ideas

Why are students of the arts encouraged to learn about science and science students encouraged to learn about the arts? A. Scientists need to learn to draw and artists need to learn how to solve equations. B. Scientists need to relax by viewing art and artists need the discipline of learning science. C. Scientists need to learn how to write and writers need to learn what is impossible to do according to science. D. Knowing both the arts and sciences makes for a wholeness in the way we view the world.

D. Knowing both the arts and sciences makes for a wholeness in the way we view the world.

When the Sun was directly overhead in Syene, why wasn't it directly overhead in Alexandria? A. The Sun is a sphere. B. Syene is in a different time zone than Alexandria. C. Gravity bends light. D. The Earth is a sphere.

D. The Earth is a sphere.

A fact in science is ______. A. an agreement between trained investigators B. an educated guess C. forever true D. a synthesis of well-tested ideas

A. an agreement between trained investigators