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1. The passage suggests that if scientific determinism were true

A. scientists would, in theory, be able to predict the future - True, that is in fact the ultimate outcome if scientific determinism were true
B. all the particles in the universe would have a measurable position and velocity - Close choice. But, look again, is the passage really suggesting that ? Is not it clearly mentioned in the passage that the scientific determination will actually hold when we are able to measure the position and the velocity of all the particles.
C. the theory of quantum mechanics would be false - Nowhere in the passage the author suggests that the quantum mechanics would be false. Too strong a choice
D. Schrodinger’s equation could be used to calculate any particle’s position - irrelevant
E. the quantum mechanics revolution would not have occurred - Again, too strong a choice.
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2. According to the passage, wave functions

A. allow scientists to determine the position and velocity of a particle - False. Wave functions only provide the probabilities.
B. are determined by the Schrodinger equation - False, Instead, wave functions serve as pre-requisite to the Schrodinger equation.
C. provide a range of possible locations and velocities for a particle- True
D. allow a scientist to calculate the future state of the universe - False. Wave functions help scientists predict the future state of the waves.
E. threw the proposition of scientific determinism into doubt - False, it is the quantum mechanics theory that casts doubt on the idea of scientific determinism
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3. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

A. A paradox is introduced, competing explanations are offered, and a final resolution is reached. - False.No Paradox is introduced.
B. Two opposing theories are introduced, critiqued, and reconciled. - False.Are both the theories critiqued ?
C. An idea is introduced, its validity is questioned, and its application qualified. - True. An idea is introduced in the first para. In the second para, Quantum mechanics is introduced that casts doubt on the idea of scientific determinism.
D. A theory is introduced, its mathematical basis is examined, and it is rejected. Partially true.A theory is introduced, but is it rejected totally ? No, just that quantum mechanics accept that idea but in the reduced form
E. An argument is made, an objection to it is detailed, and the argument is revised. - False. Argument is not revised.
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4. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author’s conclusion in the passage’s final sentence?

A. Some physicists believe quantum mechanics will eventually be discarded in favor of a new theory. - False
B. Physicists still use Newton’s laws of motion to calculate the velocities and positions of planets and stars. - Irrelevant
C. Even if the position and velocity of a particle were known, predicting the future would be impossible because there are too many other variables to calculate. - False
D. There is little to no chance that the modern theory of quantum mechanics will be overturned by another theory. Correct.
E. No scientists are pursuing studies in the field of determinism. Irrelevant
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generis, can you please take a look at Q3 and share your thoughts. I am picking this up from my bump to your "tone of author" post from a few days ago. This Q3 requires a correct summarization and I was not able to zero in on C there. What does "äpplication qualified" mean in this context? I went ahead with E ( without probable cause and had to pay the price for it ) :-(


gmatexam439 workout dave13 AdityaHongunti - your take on Q3?

Thank you. :)

Have a nice evening! :)

Regards,
Gladi

Quote:
3. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

A. A paradox is introduced, competing explanations are offered, and a final resolution is reached.
B. Two opposing theories are introduced, critiqued, and reconciled.
C. An idea is introduced, its validity is questioned, and its application qualified.
D. A theory is introduced, its mathematical basis is examined, and it is rejected.
E. An argument is made, an objection to it is detailed, and the argument is revised.
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Gladiator59, thanks for tagging me. glad to help :) you can check my explanation below, i wonder mysef if my reasoning is correct ... :lol:
have a fantastic evening :)

Newton’s surprising success at developing the laws of motion, as well as the development and refinement of other physical laws, led to
the idea of scientific determinism. The first expression of this principle was in the beginning of the nineteenth century by Laplace, a French scientist. Laplace argued that if one knew the position and velocity of all the particles in the universe at a given time, the laws of physics would be able to predict the future state of the universe. ( FIRST PARA INTRODUCES IDEA)

Scientific determinism held sway over a great many scientists until the early twentieth century, <------ I UNDERSTAND THIS, THAT AN APPLICATION OF AN IDEA WAS QUALIFIED. BECAUSE THIS IDEA HAD AN INFLUENCE ON SCIENTISTS. AND IF IT HAD INFLUENCE THEN IT MEANS THAT THEY ACCEPTED IT UNTIL SOME TIME.


THE TEXT BELOW PUTS VALIDITY OF SCIENTIFIC DETERMINATION INTO QUESTION BY INTRODUCICG QANTUM MECHANICS.

when the quantum mechanics revolution occurred. Quantum mechanics introduced the world to the idea of the uncertainty principle, which stated that it was impossible to accurately measure both the position and the velocity of a particle at one time. Because Laplace’s omniscience could never occur, even in theory, the principle of scientific determinism was thrown into doubt. However, quantum mechanics does allow for a reduced form of scientific determinism.


3. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

A. A paradox is introduced, competing explanations are offered, and a final resolution is reached.
B. Two opposing theories are introduced, critiqued, and reconciled.
C. An idea is introduced, its validity is questioned, and its application qualified.
D. A theory is introduced, its mathematical basis is examined, and it is rejected.
E. An argument is made, an objection to it is detailed, and the argument is revised.
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