We can distinguish three different realms of matter, three levels on t

Question

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Passage # 164 Date: 21-Jun-2020
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We can distinguish three different realms of matter, three levels on the quantum ladder. The first is the atomic realm, which includes the world of atoms, their interactions, and the structures that are formed by them, such as molecules, liquids and solids, and gases and plasmas. This realm includes all the phenomena of atomic physics, chemistry, and, in a certain sense, biology. The energy exchanges taking place in this realm are of a relatively low order. If these exchanges are below one electron volt, such as in the collisions between molecules of the air in a room, then atoms and molecules can be regarded as elementary particles. That is, they have "conditional elementarity" because they keep their identity and do not change in any collisions or in other processes at these low energy exchanges. If one goes to higher energy exchanges, say 104
10
4
electron volts, then atoms and molecules will decompose into nuclei and electrons; at this level, the latter particles must be considered as elementary. We find examples of structures and processes of this first rung of the quantum ladder on Earth, on planets, and on the surfaces of stars.

The next rung is the nuclear realm. Here the energy exchanges are much higher, on the order of millions of electron volts. As long as we are dealing with phenomena in the atomic realm, such amounts 'of energy are unavailable, and most nuclei are inert: they do not change. However, if one applies energies of millions of electron volts, nuclear reactions, fission and fusion, and the processes of radioactivity occur; our elementary particles then are protons, neutrons, and electrons. In addition, nuclear processes produce neutrinos, particles that have no detectable mass or charge. In the universe, energies at this level are available in the centers of stars and in star explosions. Indeed, the energy radiated by the stars is produced by nuclear reactions. The natural radioactivity we find on Earth is the long-lived remnant of the time when now-earthly matter was expelled into space by a major stellar explosion.

The third rung of the quantum ladder is the subnuclear realm. Here we are dealing with energy exchanges of many billions of electron volts. We encounter excited nucleons, new types of particles such as mesons, heavy electrons, quarks, and gluons, and also antimatter in large quantities. The gluons are the quanta, or smallest units, of the force (the strong force) that keeps the quarks together. As long as we are dealing with the atomic or nuclear realm, these new types of particles do not occur and the nucleons remain inert. But at subnuclear energy levels, the nucleons and mesons appear to be composed of quarks, so that the quarks and gluons figure as elementary particles.    1 
 1. The primary topic of the passage is which of the following?

(A) The interaction of the realms on the quantum ladder. 
(B) Atomic structures found on Earth, on other planets, and on the surfaces of stars 
(C) Levels of energy that are released in nuclear reactions on Earth and in stars 
(D) Particles and processes found in the atomic, nuclear, and subnuclear realms 
(E) New types of particles occurring in the atomic realm

2 
 2. According to the passage, radioactivity that occurs naturally on Earth is the result of

(A) the production of particles that have no detectable mass or electric charge 
(B) high energy exchanges on the nuclear level that occurred in an ancient explosion in a star 
(C) processes that occur in the center of the Sun, which emits radiation to the Earth 
(D) phenomena in the atomic realm that cause atoms and molecules to decompose into nuclei and electrons 
(E) high-voltage discharges of electricity that took place in the atmosphere of the Earth shortly after the Earth was fonned

3 
 3. The author organizes the passage by

(A) making distinctions between two groups of particles, those that are elementary and those that are composite 
(B) explaining three methods of transferring energy to atoms and to the smaller particles that constitute atoms 
(C) describing several levels of processes, increasing in energy, and corresponding sets of particles, generally decreasing in size 
(D) putting forth an argument concerning energy levels and then conceding that several qualifications of that argument are necessary 
(E) making several successive refinements of a definition of elementarity on the basis of several groups of experimental results

4 
 4. According to the passage, which of the following can be found in the atomic realm?

(A) More than one level of energy exchange 
(B) Exactly one elementary particle 
(C) Exactly three kinds of atomic structures 
(D) Three levels on the quantum ladder 
(E) No particles smaller than atoms

5 
 5. According to the author, gluons are not

(A) considered to be detectable 
(B) produced in nuclear reactions 
(C) encountered in subnuclear energy exchanges 
(D) related to the strong force 
(E) found to be conditionally elementary

6 
 6. At a higher energy level than the subnuclear level described, if such a higher level exists, it can be expected on the basis of the information in the passage that there would probably be

(A) excited nucleons 
(B) elementary mesons 
(C) a kind of particle without detectable mass or charge 
(D) exchanges of energy on the order of millions of electron volts 
(E) another set of elementary particles

7 
 7. The passage speaks of particles as having conditional elementary if they

(A) remain unchanged at a given level of energy exchange 
(B) cannot be decomposed into smaller constituents 
(C) are mathematically simpler than some other set of particles 
(D) release energy at a low level in collisions 
(E) belong to the nuclear level on the quantum ladder

sauravleo123 · Answer

First map the passage
First paragraph: Discusses the quantum ladder, the three realms of matter and goes on to discuss the atomic realm. Also discusses energy exchange at the level of atomic realm.
Second paragraph: Discusses the nuclear realm, constituent particles and energy level
Third paragraph: Discusses the sub nuclear realm and constituent particles.
Q1. Primary purpose: Discussion and explanation of the three realms of the quantum ladder
A. Interaction of the realms of quantum ladder is not discussed
B. Atomic structures of earth and stars are not discussed.
C. This is discussed but does not encapsulate the entire passage, it only describes a small portion in second paragraph.
D. Correct. This properly summarizes the entire passage
E. Again takes into consideration a small part of the passage.

Q2. The second paragraph clearly mentions- The natural radioactivity we find on Earth is the long-lived remnant of the time when now-earthly matter was expelled into space by a major stellar explosion. 
Going through the options, only B makes sense.

Q3. Mapping the passage properly is important to answer this question.
A. Incorrect. Nowhere does the author makes distinction between elementary and composite particles.
B. This takes into consideration only the atoms. How about the other particles? Incorrect
C. Correct. The passage certainly discusses three levels of processes that increase in energy and the corresponding particles.
D. The author never argues against anything. He merely explains.
E. Nowhere does the author refines the definition of elementarity.

Q4. 
A. This is correct. The first para clearly discusses two energy levels. Below 1 electron volt and more that 10^4 electron volts.
B. Incorrect. There are more than 1 elementary particle.
C. Incorrect. Five kinds of atomic structures are mentioned.
D. Levels of quantumm ladder are not sub parts of atomic realm.
E. Incorrect. There are molecules as well.

Q5. Gluons are discussed in the last para.
A. Detactibility og gluons is not mentioned anywhere.
B. This should be correct. Gluons are produced in sub nuclear reactions. Keep it.
C. Incorrect. Gluons are definitely encountered in subnuclear exchanges.
D. Consider this part- The gluons are the quanta, or smallest units, of the force (the strong force) that keeps the quarks together. So gluons are definitely related to strong force.
E. Conditional elementarity is not discussed. We only know gluons figure as elementary particles. There is no way to decide whether they are conditionally elementary or not.
B is correct.

Q6. On the basis of passage, we know that as we go on to higher levels exchanges of energy increase and smaller new particles are formed.
A. Nucleons are encountered in subnuclear realm. This is not a new particle. Incorrect.
B. Mesons are also formed in subnuclear realm. Incorrect
C. Could be correct. Without detectable mass means negligible mass. Keep it.
D. Incorrect. Already on the subnuclear realm energy exchanges are on the level of million electron volts, so for the next higher level it should be more than that.
E. We do not know if we will get two new particles and furthermore whether they will be elementary or not. Incorrect
C is correct.

Q7. As per the passage- they have "conditional elementarity" because they keep their identity and do not change in any collisions or in other processes at these low energy exchanges
A. Correct. They remain unchanged or keep their identity.
B. Incorrect. It is mentioned that at higherenergy levels i.e. 10^4 they further decompose into nuclei and electrons.
C. Nowhere mentioned.
D. This is the requirement for elementarity, not conditional elementarity.
E. Level on quantum ladder does not affect elementarity. Incorrect.

auradediligodo · Answer

Hi everyone,
Got 6/7 correct in 11:20 minutes, including 4:50 minutes to read 6:30 minutes to answer the questions.

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P1

In this paragraph the author claims that there are 3 realms of matter and she describes the first one, that is the atomic realm. In the rest of the paragraph we are given important definitions such as the one of elementary particles. Plus we are given which kind of elements are part of the realm and the energy involved in the relations among the elements.

Purpose:   To describe the first realm of matter: the atomic realm

P2

In paragraph 2 the author describes the nuclear realm. Few things to note: the energy involved is higher and there are different particles/elements described. The structure here is very similar to the one used in the previous paragraph.

Purpose:   To describe the nuclear realm

P3

In the last paragraph we are given the last realm: the subnuclear realm. Again we have different particles involved and higher energies.

Purpose:  To describe the subnuclear realm

Main point

To describe the 3 realms of matter: atomic, nuclear and subatomic

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1. The primary topic of the passage is which of the following?

Pre-thinking

Main point question

To describe the 3 realms of matter: atomic, nuclear and subatomic

(A) The  interaction  of the realms on the quantum ladder. 
(B)  Atomic structures  found on Earth, on other planets, and on the surfaces of stars 
(C) Levels of energy that are released in nuclear reactions on Earth and in stars  Partial scope 
  (D)   Particles and processes found in the atomic, nuclear, and subnuclear realms 
(E)  New types  of particles occurring in the atomic realm

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2. According to the passage, radioactivity that occurs naturally on Earth is the result of

Pre-thinking

Detail question

From P2:   The natural radioactivity we find on Earth is the long-lived remnant of the time when now-earthly matter was expelled into space by a major stellar explosion.

(A) the production of particles that have no detectable mass or electric charge 
  (B)   high energy exchanges on the nuclear level that occurred in an ancient explosion in a star 
(C) processes that occur in the center of the Sun, which emits radiation to the Earth 
(D) phenomena in the atomic realm that cause atoms and molecules to decompose into nuclei and electrons 
(E) high-voltage discharges of electricity that took place in the atmosphere of the Earth shortly after the Earth was fonned

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. The author organizes the passage by

Pre-thinking

Structure question

The author presents in order the three realms, describing the level of energies and the kind of particles found in each one of them

(A) making distinctions between two groups of particles, those that are elementary and those that are composite 
 The author does that but this one is not the whole organization of the passage

(B) explaining three methods of transferring energy to atoms and to the smaller particles that constitute atoms 
 Not in line with pre-thinking

(C)   describing several levels of processes, increasing in energy, and corresponding sets of particles, generally decreasing in size 
 in line with pre-thinking

(D) putting forth an argument concerning energy levels and then conceding that several qualifications of that argument are necessary 
 Never done by the author

(E) making several successive refinements of a definition of elementarity on the basis of several groups of experimental results 
 no refinement

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4. According to the passage, which of the following can be found in the atomic realm?

Pre-thinking

Detail question

We need to refer to P1

We can distinguish three different realms of matter, three levels on the quantum ladder. The first is the atomic realm, which includes the world of atoms, their interactions, and the structures that are formed by them, such as molecules, liquids and solids, and gases and plasmas. This realm includes all the phenomena of atomic physics, chemistry, and, in a certain sense, biology.  The energy exchanges taking place in this realm are of a relatively low order.  If these exchanges are below one electron volt, such as in the collisions between molecules of the air in a room, then atoms and molecules can be regarded as elementary particles. That is, they have "conditional elementarity" because they keep their identity and do not change in any collisions or in other processes at these low energy exchanges.  If one goes to higher energy exchanges,  say 104
10
4
electron volts, then atoms and molecules will decompose into nuclei and electrons; at this level, the latter particles must be considered as elementary. We find examples of structures and processes of this first rung of the quantum ladder on Earth, on planets, and on the surfaces of stars.

(A)   More than one level of energy exchange 
(B) Exactly one elementary particle  atoms and molecules are mentioned 
(C) Exactly three kinds of atomic structures  atoms, molecules, nuclei and electrons are mentioned. 
(D) Three levels on the quantum ladder  Out of context 
(E) No particles smaller than atoms  nuclei and electrons are

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. According to the author, gluons are not

Pre-thinking

Detail question

In the last paragraph the author talks about gluons:   The gluons are the quanta, or smallest units, of the force (the strong force) that keeps the quarks together.  As long as we are dealing with the atomic or nuclear realm, these new types of particles do not occur and the nucleons remain inert.  But at subnuclear energy levels, the nucleons and mesons appear to be composed of quarks, so that the quarks and gluons figure as elementary particles.

(A) considered to be detectable 
  (B)   produced in nuclear reactions 
(C) encountered in subnuclear energy exchanges 
(D) related to the strong force 
(E) found to be conditionally elementary

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6. At a higher energy level than the subnuclear level described, if such a higher level exists, it can be expected on the basis of the information in the passage that there would probably be

Pre-thinking

Inference question

At a higher energy level we always seem to find new elementary particles

(A) excited nucleons  cannot be inferred 
(B) elementary mesons  Fell for this one but, even if reasonable, we cannot be 100% sure 
(C) a kind of particle without detectable mass or charge  cannot be inferred 
(D) exchanges of energy on the order of millions of electron volts  cannot be inferred 
  (E)   another set of elementary particles  This one is 100% sure on the other hand

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7. The passage speaks of particles as having conditional elementarity if they

Pre-thinking

Detail question

From P1:  That is, they have "conditional elementarity" because they keep their identity and do not change in any collisions or in other processes at these low energy exchanges.

(A)   remain unchanged at a given level of energy exchange 
(B) cannot be decomposed into smaller constituents  they can if the energy involved is significantly higher 
(C) are mathematically simpler than some other set of particles 
(D) release energy at a low level in collisions 
(E) belong to the nuclear level on the quantum ladder

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It's a great day to be alive!

shriyap · Answer

Can somebody please explain how to get answer of Question 6?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Welcome to GMAT Club! Please read explanation in the post in the link below. https://gmatclub.com/forum/we-can-disti ... l#p2488893 Good Luck!

Pankaj0901 · Answer

Question 4:

Why cannot the answer be E, as the question says " can  be found in the atomic realm"? If <1 EV, then atom is the smallest element.

According to the passage, which of the following can be found in the atomic realm?
(A) More than one level of energy exchange
(B) Exactly one elementary particle
(C) Exactly three kinds of atomic structures
(D) Three levels on the quantum ladder
(E) No particles smaller than atoms -  should be correct

P1: "The energy exchanges taking place in this realm are of a relatively low order. If these exchanges are below one electron volt, such as in the collisions between molecules of the air in a room, then atoms and molecules can be regarded as elementary particles."

I understand option A is correct, but couldn't eliminate E either. Can someone please assist? Thanks

VerbalBot · Answer

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We can distinguish three different realms of matter, three levels on t

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