One current hypothesis for explaining the origin of elements suggests

Question

One current hypothesis for explaining the origin of elements suggests that most of the elements in our solar system were forged during a process that began billions of years ago when clouds of primeval matter condensed to create young stars. Within these stellar furnaces, hydrogen was fused to form heavier nuclei. The new, heavier elements were then spewed out into space when some of the first stars subsequently exploded. The development cycle then began anew with the birth of second-generation stars that were richer in heavy elements.

As successful as the hypothesis is, however, it cannot explain the existence of three light elements, lithium, beryllium and boron. The nuclei of these elements, which contain three, four, and five protons, respectively, are extremely fragile and would rapidly disintegrate in the hot, dense, and violent stellar interior. How, then, were they formed?

A merging of theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics has begun to yield an answer. Collaborative work in the two fields shows that lithium, beryllium, and boron were probably synthesized in the immense clouds of gas and dust (the so-called interstellar medium) that permeate our galaxy rather than within the stars themselves. As cosmic rays, which consist primarily of high-energy protons, have passed through the interstellar medium in the course of the past 10 to 15 billion years, they have initiated nuclear reactions that produce the three light elements. It also appears that a large fraction of the lithium present in the universe was produced during the big bang: the primordial explosion some 15 billion years ago that gave birth to the universe.

The relative scarcity of lithium, beryllium, and boron thus belies their importance. Their unique origin makes them fascinating expositors of the origin and development of the universe. In fact, as more information from laboratory experiments simulating the production of these elements in nature accumulates, the models for their cosmic synthesis are becoming precise enough to provide important clues even about the fate of the universe. The data may help to answer the question of whether the universe will expand forever or ultimately collapse again into another hot, dense fireball of fundamental particles.  
 1 
 1. Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

A) new theory concerning the creation of certain light elements in our galaxy may have significant implications concerning the universe itself.
B) Two conflicting theories concerning the creation of certain light elements must be unified before the future of the universe can be predicted.
C) Theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics cannot independently explain the origin of certain light elements in the universe.
D) The fate of the universe depends on the amounts of certain light elements present in the universe.
E) The universe began with the creation of certain light elements.

2 
 2. It can be inferred from the passage that at least some of the lithium in our galaxy was probably

A) produced by the reaction between beryllium and boron
B) produced by the reaction between cosmic rays and high-energy protons
C) produced during violent stellar explosions
D) produced before the first-generation stars
E) produced by the disintegration of beryllium and boron atoms

3 
 3. According to the passage, which of the following is true of the nuclei of lithium, beryllium, and boron?

A) They are too simple to have been created by violent stellar explosions.
B) They are too complex to have been created by the condensation of primeval matter.
C) They are too fragile to have been created in the interior of stars.
D) They are too scarce to be important enough to warrant scientific study.
E) They are too scarce to be used for laboratory experiments.

4 
 4. It can be inferred from the passage that second-generation stars differ from first-generation stars in that second-generation stars

(A) contain all of the elements
(B) contain greater quantities of heavy dements than do first-generation stars
(C) contain greater quantities of hydrogen than do first-generation stars
(D) were not formed from the condensation of matter
(E) are less likely to explode than are first-generation stars

5 
 5. It can be inferred from the passage that scientists have done which of the following?

(A) Duplicated the processes by which most of the elements were created.
(B) Determined why the first-generation stars exploded..
(C) Reconstructed the details of the origin of the universe.
(D) Predicted the way in which the universe will evolve in the future.
(E) Simulated the process by which lithium, beryllium, and boron are produced.

6 
 6. The passage explicitly criticizes the hypothesis mentioned in line 1 in relation to which of the following?

(A) The formation in our solar system of several light elements
(B) The existence of cosmic rays in the universe
(C) The difference between ordinary protons and high-energy protons
(D) The proportions of gas and of dust in the inter stellar medium
(E) The process by which cosmic rays initiate nuclear reactions in the interstellar medium

7 
 7. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes that lithium, beryllium, and boron

(A) were the original building blocks for the universe
(B) are the major components of interstellar clouds of gas
(C) have important roles in explaining the origin and development of the universe
(D) can only be studied in carefully controlled laboratory experiments
(E) are the only elements that can be used in experiments replicating cosmic synthesis

8 
 8. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following statements can be made about the interstellar medium?

I. Its composition has been studied only within the last few years.
II. It provides a less violent and destructive environment than does the interior of a star.
III. Although some nuclear reactions take place there, the medium generally inhibits such reactions.

(A) I only
(B) Il only
(C) III only
(D) I and II only
(E) H and III only

AbhishekDhanraJ72 · Answer

why answer is not C for Q2??

bM22 · Answer

Hi  AbhishekDhanraJ72 ,

2) It can be inferred from the passage that at least some of the lithium in our galaxy was probably

A) produced by the reaction between beryllium and boron
B) produced by the reaction between cosmic rays and high-energy protons
C) produced during violent stellar explosions
 D) produced before the first-generation stars
 E) produced by the disintegration of beryllium and boron atoms

Correct Answer: D,
 Explanation: can be directly inferred from the lines:"It also appears that a large fraction of the lithium present in the universe was produced during the big bang: the primordial explosion some 15 billion years ago that gave birth to the universe."
Option C is incorrect, and can be inferred through the lines : "Collaborative work in the two fields shows that lithium, beryllium, and boron were probably synthesized in the immense clouds of gas and dust (the so-called interstellar medium)  that permeate our galaxy rather than within the stars themselves. ", 
implying that lithium, beryllium, and boron were probably created from the clouds that enter and spread in our galaxy rather than from the explosion of the stars.

Hope this Helps.
Thanks.

nishg13 · Answer

Can someone please explain how is "A", the answer for the 1st question?
The passage starts stating "Current Hypothesis", however the answer choice contains "New Theory".
The only reason I did not select option A was this reason.

v@ibhav · Answer

Firstly you can try to eliminate the options
B) There nothing conflicting mentioned
C) No comment is made if they can independently explain
D) There its said fate depends on AMOUNT OF ELEMENTS - whereas the amount is not the concern here
E) consider the last sentence of para 1
" It also appears that a large fraction of the lithium present in the universe was produced during the big bang: the primordial explosion some 15 billion years ago that gave birth to the universe."
here its said that lithium got created during explosion which created the universe
so we cannot directly say that universe began with creation of light elements

But rather we can say that the creation of light element has significance in creation of universe
and the fact that it is said new theory because its said that the answer to creation of lithium was found by combining the earlier existing two theories (Theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics)

ryorda · Answer

Hi,
can someone explain how come the answer of question 2 is D?
seems there is no clue about the timeline indicating it is `produced before the first-generation stars`.
i mean both first-generation stars and the three light elements are created billions of years ago..
thanks

bM22 · Answer

Hi ryorda , Kindly refer the answer: https://gmatclub.com/forum/one-current- ... l#p2569037 In lines: "It also appears that a large fraction of the lithium present in the universe was produced during the big bang: the primordial explosion some 15 billion years ago that gave birth to the universe.", implication is lithium was present already in the Universe and was produced during the big bang, the explosion which gave birth to stars (first generation), implying option D. Let me know if you still have doubts. Thanks.

Gmat20201 · Answer

1) Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

A) new theory concerning the creation of certain light elements in our galaxy may have significant implications concerning the universe itself.
B) Two conflicting theories concerning the creation of certain light elements must be unified before the future of the universe can be predicted.
C) Theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics cannot independently explain the origin of certain light elements in the universe.
D) The fate of the universe depends on the amounts of certain light elements present in the universe.
E) The universe began with the creation of certain light elements.

Soln:

On first read of the passage we can notice that - Author presents current hypothesis for explaining origin of elements in our solar system.
In the second para- author presents draw back of these hypothesis by mentioning what this hypothesis fails to explain- existence of three light elements 
In third para - author talks about the collaborative work which explains what current hypothesis fails to explain 
In last para- author presents the possible benefits which can be gained based on the from information about three light elements .

Now when we look at ans choices. Only ans choice A matches the outline of the passage.

So ans choice A is the ans

2) It can be inferred from the passage that at least some of the lithium in our galaxy was probably

A) produced by the reaction between beryllium and boron
B) produced by the reaction between cosmic rays and high-energy protons
C) produced during violent stellar explosions
D) produced before the first-generation stars
E) produced by the disintegration of beryllium and boron atoms

Soln: Notice here the key word in the question stem-" some of the lithium. "

Refer the passage where it says
"Collaborative work in the two fields shows that lithium, beryllium, and boron were probably synthesized in the immense clouds of gas and dust (the so-called interstellar medium) that permeate our galaxy  rather than within the stars themselves"
 
This sentence says that lithium was synthesized ( produced ) in the immense cloud of gas and dust.
And not within Stars themselves.

Now Lets use POE

A) produced by the reaction between beryllium and boron
- Eliminate based on information above. No where passage talks similar thing.

B) produced by the reaction between cosmic rays and high-energy protons
- 
"As cosmic rays, which consist primarily of high-energy protons, have passed through the interstellar medium in the course of the past 10 to 15 billion years, they have initiated nuclear reactions that produce the three light elements"

-Note this sentence from passage says Cosmic rays consist of high energy protons. While our ans choice talks about reaction between cosmic ray and high energy protons. This trap ans just uses words from passage.
Eliminate choice B

C) produced during violent stellar explosions
- This ans choice says reverse of what is said in the passage.
 refer line" The nuclei of these elements, which contain three, four, and five protons, respectively, are extremely fragile and would rapidly disintegrate in the hot, dense, and violent stellar interior." Clearly says it disintegrates not produce during violent stellar explosion.

D) produced before the first-generation stars
 Correct- Matches the line discussed above.

E) produced by the disintegration of beryllium and boron atoms-
Eliminate as no where passage talks about it.

A ns choice D is correct

3) According to the passage, which of the following is true of the nuclei of lithium, beryllium, and boron?

A) They are too simple to have been created by violent stellar explosions.
B) They are too complex to have been created by the condensation of primeval matter.
C) They are too fragile to have been created in the interior of stars.
D) They are too scarce to be important enough to warrant scientific study.
E) They are too scarce to be used for laboratory experiments.

Soln

PAssage says " The nuclei of these elements, which contain three, four, and five protons, respectively, are extremely fragile and would rapidly disintegrate in the hot, dense, and violent stellar interior."

Ans Choice C matches the information in the passage.

Ans choice C

Hope that helps!

mSKR · Answer

Why the question is asking only about Lithium but not three elements.
Oh wait! While reading , I come across this sentence”
It also appears that a large fraction of the lithium present in the universe was produced during the big bang: the primordial explosion some 15 billion years ago that gave birth to the universe.

This information seems additional in the passage but question is based on this information only

2nd place where production of lithium talked is at:
As cosmic rays, which consist primarily of high-energy protons, have passed through the interstellar medium in the course of the past 10 to 15 billion years, they have initiated nuclear reactions that produce the three light elements.

A and E rejected because nothing is talked about relation of 2 other elements with Lithium. 
For C: I read about violent stellar explosions

The nuclei of these elements, which contain three, four, and five protons, respectively, are extremely fragile and would rapidly disintegrate in the hot, dense, and violent stellar interior. How, then, were they formed?

This information is not related of the question what is asked

In my first reading, I shortlisted B and D
D is something which I Couldn’t find directly but wait the question is about inference. I should keep it on hold.
B: matches words with the my shortlisted area.

On reading D: cosmic rays   passed through medium and hence nuclear reactions were initiated.
D is not matching as the information in the passage.

I am left with B:
Can B make sense or I did some mistake?

that gave birth to the universe.  means something before universe was born.

began anew with the birth of second-generation stars that were richer in heavy elements.--> I see so explosion that gave birth to universe were 1st generation of start
In summary, It means it says: Lithium was present before 1st generation of stars( = after universe was born)?

I am convinced with B.

tkorzhan1995 · Answer

GMATNinja , can you please explain timeline for the production of lithium? What does it indicate that lithium was produced before generation of stars?

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 2 
 
Start by considering a few key points about lithium from the passage:

Lithium could not have been created in the "stellar furnaces" of "young stars," because elements with "three, four, and five protons, respectively, are extremely fragile and would rapidly disintegrate in the hot, dense, and violent stellar interior."  Lithium was probably made in the "interstellar medium," rather than within stars themselves, over the past 10 to 15 billion years.  A large fraction of lithium was produced during the Big Bang, the explosion which gave birth to the universe, some "fifteen billion years ago."

So what does that tell us about the timeline of lithium? Well, it tells us that a lot was made 15 billion years ago, during the birth of the universe. It also tells us that it was made during the last 10 to 15 billion years in the "interstellar medium."

Let's consider how all this affects Question 2, and why (D) is correct:

Well, if a lot of lithium was made during the Big Bang, that means it was made 15 billion years ago, at the birth of the universe. This is in contrast to first-generation stars, which were made when "clouds of primeval matter condensed to make young stars."

So some amount of lithium must have been made BEFORE the first generation stars -- since by definition, the birth of the universe is the first thing that could possibly happen. First-generation stars, on the other hand, were only made when "clouds of primeval dust" already existed, which must have been some time after the Big Bang.

Overall, because first generation stars must have been made AFTER the birth of the universe, at least some lithium must have been made BEFORE these stars existed, and (D) is correct.

I hope that helps!

Snehashis1994 · Answer

Hi I'm still having some issues with Q2 as the question says 'at least some amount of the lithium' which makes me choose B over D. Please let know if there's an obvious mistake I'm making  GMATNinja

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 2 
 
Question 2 asks us what we can infer about "at least some" of the lithium in our galaxy.

Here's (B):
 
Cosmic rays are discussed in the second paragraph: "As cosmic rays, which consist primarily of high-energy protons, have passed through the interstellar medium in the course of the past 10 to 15 billion years, they have initiated nuclear reactions that produce the three light elements."

This tells us that cosmic rays  consist  of high-energy protons. In other words, the cosmic rays ARE the high-energy protons. These protons interact with the interstellar medium to produce lithium.

(B) says that there is a reaction  between  cosmic rays and high-energy protons, which doesn't make any sense given that cosmic rays ARE the high-energy protons. That's why (B) is out for question 2.

Here's (D):
 
The passage tells us that it "appears that a large fraction of the lithium present in the universe was produced during the big bang: the primordial explosion some 15 billion years ago that gave birth to the universe."

So, while some lithium was produced by cosmic rays/interstellar medium, some lithium was produced during the Big Bang. The Big Bang occurred at the very beginning of time, so we can infer that this fraction of lithium was produced before the first-generation stars.

(D) is the correct answer to question 2.

I hope that helps!

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One current hypothesis for explaining the origin of elements suggests

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