Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
04 Jan 2024, 21:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
In the annals of space exploration, propulsion systems have largely been based on chemical reactions—rockets expelling mass at high speeds to generate thrust. However, the concept of solar sailing presents an entirely new paradigm, leveraging the momentum from photons emitted by the sun to propel spacecraft. This technique, while dating back to the 17th century in its theoretical form, has recently taken a more concrete shape with the advancement of technology.
The foundational principle of solar sailing relies on the idea that light, or photons, exert pressure on surfaces they encounter. This phenomenon, though minuscule, can be cumulative. Given a sufficiently large and reflective sail, a spacecraft could, in theory, be propelled to significant velocities, allowing for exploratory missions beyond what traditional propulsion methods could achieve. Moreover, solar sailing doesn't require onboard fuel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the spacecraft.
Solar sailing isn't merely an offshoot of fanciful space dreams. The initial idea was proposed by Johannes Kepler in the 17th century after observing comet tails being blown by what he believed to be a solar breeze. In the 20th century, famed scientist Carl Sagan championed the idea as a possible method for interstellar exploration. Today, with the marriage of lightweight materials and advanced engineering, prototype spacecraft have begun to test the viability of solar sails in actual space conditions.
The implications of successful solar sailing are profound. For interplanetary missions, the consistent acceleration over time, without the need for fuel, could mean faster trips to distant planets or asteroids. Interstellar travel, although still a concept of science fiction, could find a basis in solar sailing if the technology is paired with other advanced propulsion methods, such as using focused laser beams to impart additional momentum.
However, challenges persist. Building a sail that's both large enough to capture significant sunlight and lightweight enough to be practical is an engineering feat. Additionally, maneuverability remains a concern, as solar sails rely heavily on the direction and intensity of the sun's rays. As space agencies and private enterprises continue to refine the technology, the dream of solar sailing may yet become a reality, reshaping the future of space exploration.
It can be inferred from the passage that:
A. Johannes Kepler had developed a prototype of a solar sail.
B. The need for onboard fuel is a limitation in achieving significant speeds in space exploration.
C. Carl Sagan was the first to conceptualize solar sailing.
D. Maneuverability is an advantage offered by solar sailing.
E. All space agencies are in favor of transitioning to solar sailing.
The foundational principle of solar sailing relies on the idea that light, or photons, exert pressure on surfaces they encounter. This phenomenon, though minuscule, can be cumulative. Given a sufficiently large and reflective sail, a spacecraft could, in theory, be propelled to significant velocities, allowing for exploratory missions beyond what traditional propulsion methods could achieve. Moreover, solar sailing doesn't require onboard fuel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the spacecraft.
Solar sailing isn't merely an offshoot of fanciful space dreams. The initial idea was proposed by Johannes Kepler in the 17th century after observing comet tails being blown by what he believed to be a solar breeze. In the 20th century, famed scientist Carl Sagan championed the idea as a possible method for interstellar exploration. Today, with the marriage of lightweight materials and advanced engineering, prototype spacecraft have begun to test the viability of solar sails in actual space conditions.
The implications of successful solar sailing are profound. For interplanetary missions, the consistent acceleration over time, without the need for fuel, could mean faster trips to distant planets or asteroids. Interstellar travel, although still a concept of science fiction, could find a basis in solar sailing if the technology is paired with other advanced propulsion methods, such as using focused laser beams to impart additional momentum.
However, challenges persist. Building a sail that's both large enough to capture significant sunlight and lightweight enough to be practical is an engineering feat. Additionally, maneuverability remains a concern, as solar sails rely heavily on the direction and intensity of the sun's rays. As space agencies and private enterprises continue to refine the technology, the dream of solar sailing may yet become a reality, reshaping the future of space exploration.
It can be inferred from the passage that:
A. Johannes Kepler had developed a prototype of a solar sail.
B. The need for onboard fuel is a limitation in achieving significant speeds in space exploration.
C. Carl Sagan was the first to conceptualize solar sailing.
D. Maneuverability is an advantage offered by solar sailing.
E. All space agencies are in favor of transitioning to solar sailing.
04 Jan 2024, 21:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
Official Solution:
In the annals of space exploration, propulsion systems have largely been based on chemical reactions—rockets expelling mass at high speeds to generate thrust. However, the concept of solar sailing presents an entirely new paradigm, leveraging the momentum from photons emitted by the sun to propel spacecraft. This technique, while dating back to the 17th century in its theoretical form, has recently taken a more concrete shape with the advancement of technology.
The foundational principle of solar sailing relies on the idea that light, or photons, exert pressure on surfaces they encounter. This phenomenon, though minuscule, can be cumulative. Given a sufficiently large and reflective sail, a spacecraft could, in theory, be propelled to significant velocities, allowing for exploratory missions beyond what traditional propulsion methods could achieve. Moreover, solar sailing doesn't require onboard fuel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the spacecraft.
Solar sailing isn't merely an offshoot of fanciful space dreams. The initial idea was proposed by Johannes Kepler in the 17th century after observing comet tails being blown by what he believed to be a solar breeze. In the 20th century, famed scientist Carl Sagan championed the idea as a possible method for interstellar exploration. Today, with the marriage of lightweight materials and advanced engineering, prototype spacecraft have begun to test the viability of solar sails in actual space conditions.
The implications of successful solar sailing are profound. For interplanetary missions, the consistent acceleration over time, without the need for fuel, could mean faster trips to distant planets or asteroids. Interstellar travel, although still a concept of science fiction, could find a basis in solar sailing if the technology is paired with other advanced propulsion methods, such as using focused laser beams to impart additional momentum.
However, challenges persist. Building a sail that's both large enough to capture significant sunlight and lightweight enough to be practical is an engineering feat. Additionally, maneuverability remains a concern, as solar sails rely heavily on the direction and intensity of the sun's rays. As space agencies and private enterprises continue to refine the technology, the dream of solar sailing may yet become a reality, reshaping the future of space exploration.
It can be inferred from the passage that:
A. Johannes Kepler had developed a prototype of a solar sail.
B. The need for onboard fuel is a limitation in achieving significant speeds in space exploration.
C. Carl Sagan was the first to conceptualize solar sailing.
D. Maneuverability is an advantage offered by solar sailing.
E. All space agencies are in favor of transitioning to solar sailing.
The passage mentions that solar sailing doesn't require onboard fuel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the spacecraft. This implies that the need for onboard fuel in traditional propulsion methods is a limitation, as it adds significant weight to spacecraft, potentially limiting the speeds that can be achieved, which is represented by answer choice B. This inference aligns with the contrast drawn in the passage between traditional propulsion methods and the advantages of solar sailing.
The other options are not supported by the passage:
A) Johannes Kepler is mentioned as having proposed the initial idea of solar sailing, but there is no mention of him developing a prototype.
C) Carl Sagan championed the idea of solar sailing, but he was not the first to conceptualize it, as the concept dates back to the 17th century.
D) Maneuverability is actually presented as a concern for solar sailing, not an advantage.
E) There is no information in the passage to suggest that all space agencies are in favor of transitioning to solar sailing.
Answer: B
In the annals of space exploration, propulsion systems have largely been based on chemical reactions—rockets expelling mass at high speeds to generate thrust. However, the concept of solar sailing presents an entirely new paradigm, leveraging the momentum from photons emitted by the sun to propel spacecraft. This technique, while dating back to the 17th century in its theoretical form, has recently taken a more concrete shape with the advancement of technology.
The foundational principle of solar sailing relies on the idea that light, or photons, exert pressure on surfaces they encounter. This phenomenon, though minuscule, can be cumulative. Given a sufficiently large and reflective sail, a spacecraft could, in theory, be propelled to significant velocities, allowing for exploratory missions beyond what traditional propulsion methods could achieve. Moreover, solar sailing doesn't require onboard fuel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the spacecraft.
Solar sailing isn't merely an offshoot of fanciful space dreams. The initial idea was proposed by Johannes Kepler in the 17th century after observing comet tails being blown by what he believed to be a solar breeze. In the 20th century, famed scientist Carl Sagan championed the idea as a possible method for interstellar exploration. Today, with the marriage of lightweight materials and advanced engineering, prototype spacecraft have begun to test the viability of solar sails in actual space conditions.
The implications of successful solar sailing are profound. For interplanetary missions, the consistent acceleration over time, without the need for fuel, could mean faster trips to distant planets or asteroids. Interstellar travel, although still a concept of science fiction, could find a basis in solar sailing if the technology is paired with other advanced propulsion methods, such as using focused laser beams to impart additional momentum.
However, challenges persist. Building a sail that's both large enough to capture significant sunlight and lightweight enough to be practical is an engineering feat. Additionally, maneuverability remains a concern, as solar sails rely heavily on the direction and intensity of the sun's rays. As space agencies and private enterprises continue to refine the technology, the dream of solar sailing may yet become a reality, reshaping the future of space exploration.
It can be inferred from the passage that:
A. Johannes Kepler had developed a prototype of a solar sail.
B. The need for onboard fuel is a limitation in achieving significant speeds in space exploration.
C. Carl Sagan was the first to conceptualize solar sailing.
D. Maneuverability is an advantage offered by solar sailing.
E. All space agencies are in favor of transitioning to solar sailing.
The passage mentions that solar sailing doesn't require onboard fuel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the spacecraft. This implies that the need for onboard fuel in traditional propulsion methods is a limitation, as it adds significant weight to spacecraft, potentially limiting the speeds that can be achieved, which is represented by answer choice B. This inference aligns with the contrast drawn in the passage between traditional propulsion methods and the advantages of solar sailing.
The other options are not supported by the passage:
A) Johannes Kepler is mentioned as having proposed the initial idea of solar sailing, but there is no mention of him developing a prototype.
C) Carl Sagan championed the idea of solar sailing, but he was not the first to conceptualize it, as the concept dates back to the 17th century.
D) Maneuverability is actually presented as a concern for solar sailing, not an advantage.
E) There is no information in the passage to suggest that all space agencies are in favor of transitioning to solar sailing.
Answer: B
03 Nov 2024, 00:52
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi
Please help me to verify option B from passage. i am able to verify from passage only that is onboard fuel
Please help me to verify option B from passage. i am able to verify from passage only that is onboard fuel
