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Question 1
C
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Question 2
B
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Question 3
A
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Question 4
D
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Question 5
E
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Suppose we were in a spaceship in free fall, where objects are weightless, and wanted to know a small solid object’s mass. We could not simply balance that object against another of known weight, as we would on Earth. The unknown mass could be determined, however, by placing the object on a spring scale and swinging the scale in a circle at the end of a string. The scale would measure the tension in the string, which would depend on both the speed of revolution and the mass of the object. The tension would be greater, the greater the mass or the greater the speed of revolution. From the measured tension and speed of whirling, we could determine the object’s mass.
Astronomers use an analogous procedure to “weigh” double-star systems. The speed with which the two stars in a double-star system circle one another depends on the gravitational force between them, which holds the system together. This attractive force, analogous to the tension in the string, is proportional to the stars’ combined mass, according to Newton’s law of gravitation. By observing the time required for the stars to circle each other (the period) and measuring the distance between them, we can deduce the restraining force, and hence the masses.
Astronomers use an analogous procedure to “weigh” double-star systems. The speed with which the two stars in a double-star system circle one another depends on the gravitational force between them, which holds the system together. This attractive force, analogous to the tension in the string, is proportional to the stars’ combined mass, according to Newton’s law of gravitation. By observing the time required for the stars to circle each other (the period) and measuring the distance between them, we can deduce the restraining force, and hence the masses.
1. It can be inferred from the passage that the two procedures described in the passage have which of the following in common?
A They have been applied in practice.
B They rely on the use of a device that measures tension.
C Their purpose is to determine an unknown mass.
D They can only be applied to small solid objects.
E They involve attraction between objects of similar mass.
A They have been applied in practice.
B They rely on the use of a device that measures tension.
C Their purpose is to determine an unknown mass.
D They can only be applied to small solid objects.
E They involve attraction between objects of similar mass.
2. According to the passage, the tension in the string mentioned in highlight text is analogous to which of the following aspects of a double-star system?
A The speed with which one star orbits the other
B The gravitational attraction between the stars
C The amount of time it takes for the stars to circle one another
D The distance between the two stars
E The combined mass of the two stars
A The speed with which one star orbits the other
B The gravitational attraction between the stars
C The amount of time it takes for the stars to circle one another
D The distance between the two stars
E The combined mass of the two stars
3. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the first and the second paragraph of the passage?
A The first paragraph provides an illustration useful for understanding a procedure described in the second paragraph.
B The first paragraph describes a hypothetical situation whose plausibility is tested in the second paragraph.
C The first paragraph evaluates the usefulness of a procedure whose application is described further in the second paragraph.
D The second paragraph provides evidence to support a claim made in the first paragraph.
E The second paragraph analyzes the practical implications of a methodology proposed in the first paragraph.
A The first paragraph provides an illustration useful for understanding a procedure described in the second paragraph.
B The first paragraph describes a hypothetical situation whose plausibility is tested in the second paragraph.
C The first paragraph evaluates the usefulness of a procedure whose application is described further in the second paragraph.
D The second paragraph provides evidence to support a claim made in the first paragraph.
E The second paragraph analyzes the practical implications of a methodology proposed in the first paragraph.
4. The author of the passage mentions observations regarding the period of a double-star system as being useful for determining
A the distance between the two stars in the system
B the time it takes for each star to rotate on its axis
C the size of the orbit the system’s two stars occupy
D the degree of gravitational attraction between the system’s stars
E the speed at which the star system moves through space
A the distance between the two stars in the system
B the time it takes for each star to rotate on its axis
C the size of the orbit the system’s two stars occupy
D the degree of gravitational attraction between the system’s stars
E the speed at which the star system moves through space
5. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. analyze a natural phenomenon in terms of its behavior under special conditions
B. describe the steps by which a scientific measurement is carried out
C. point out the conditions under which a scientific procedure is most useful
D. contrast two different uses of a methodological approach in science
E. explain a method by which scientists determine an unknown quantity
RC00222-05.02
A. analyze a natural phenomenon in terms of its behavior under special conditions
B. describe the steps by which a scientific measurement is carried out
C. point out the conditions under which a scientific procedure is most useful
D. contrast two different uses of a methodological approach in science
E. explain a method by which scientists determine an unknown quantity
RC00222-05.02
Question #5: The OA will be automatically revealed on Wednesday 31st of December 1969 04:00:00 PM Pacific Time Zone
ashisplb
Quote:
The methodology proposed in the first paragraph involves a hypothetical technique for measuring a small solid object’s mass in space (by placing the object on a spring scale and swinging the scale in a circle at the end of a string).
The second paragraph does not discuss practical ways for using THAT hypothetical technique. In other words, the second paragraph does not analyze practical applications of the spring scale/small-solid-object method. Instead, the second paragraph describes a different technique that is analogous to the spring scale/small-solid-object method.
In other words, the second paragraph does not discuss (or analyze) the practical applications of the spring scale/small solid method. Instead, the second paragraph describes an analogous procedure. Furthermore, this analogous procedure is described but is not really analyzed.
Choice (A) is more accurate.
I hope that helps!
Updated on: 20 Feb 2026, 09:27
Originally posted by LakerFan24 on 26 Mar 2018, 15:15.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Feb 2026, 09:27, edited 1 time in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Feb 2026, 09:27, edited 1 time in total.
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4. The author of the passage mentions observations regarding the period of a double-star system as being useful for determining
A the distance between the two stars in the system
Incorrect. Tricky b/c "distance" is mentioned right after the "period", so if you were rushing/not reading carefully, it might look appealing. But the issue here is that "distance" is lumped in with the "period" to deduce the masses.
B the time it takes for each star to rotate on its axis
Incorrect. Where is the term "axis" mentioned in this paragraph? Why would it even be relevant?
C the size of the orbit the system’s two stars occupy
Incorrect. Nothing is mentioned here that describes the size of the orbit or how that size affects the stars.
D the degree of gravitational attraction between the system’s stars
Correct. I got this by POE. However, even if we read the 2nd paragraph, we know that 2 things are used to help us determine 2 things: 1) the "restraining force"; and 2) the masses. "degree of gravitational attraction" I think, is a fancy way of saying "the restraining force"
E the speed at which the star system moves through space
Incorrect. Nothing is mentioned here that describes the speed at which the star systems move or how this info is used to determine anything meaningful.
I'll be honest, when I first read the question, I was a bit nervous. The big clue I was given was to look at the 2nd paragraph, but after pinpointing the exact place where these things are mentioned, I couldn't find an A/C that fit what I was looking for.
- POE was really helpful for me. So many A/C were so clearly out of scope (A, B, C & E)
- After recognizing this, going back to "D", I can see how "degree of ..." = "restraining force"
A the distance between the two stars in the system
Incorrect. Tricky b/c "distance" is mentioned right after the "period", so if you were rushing/not reading carefully, it might look appealing. But the issue here is that "distance" is lumped in with the "period" to deduce the masses.
B the time it takes for each star to rotate on its axis
Incorrect. Where is the term "axis" mentioned in this paragraph? Why would it even be relevant?
C the size of the orbit the system’s two stars occupy
Incorrect. Nothing is mentioned here that describes the size of the orbit or how that size affects the stars.
D the degree of gravitational attraction between the system’s stars
Correct. I got this by POE. However, even if we read the 2nd paragraph, we know that 2 things are used to help us determine 2 things: 1) the "restraining force"; and 2) the masses. "degree of gravitational attraction" I think, is a fancy way of saying "the restraining force"
E the speed at which the star system moves through space
Incorrect. Nothing is mentioned here that describes the speed at which the star systems move or how this info is used to determine anything meaningful.
I'll be honest, when I first read the question, I was a bit nervous. The big clue I was given was to look at the 2nd paragraph, but after pinpointing the exact place where these things are mentioned, I couldn't find an A/C that fit what I was looking for.
- POE was really helpful for me. So many A/C were so clearly out of scope (A, B, C & E)
- After recognizing this, going back to "D", I can see how "degree of ..." = "restraining force"
