Feedback Week 3 Quiz: Dark matter and dark energy
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You submitted this quiz on Tue 30 Dec 2014 12:42 AM PET. You got a score of 0.40
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Welcome to the quiz for week 3, on dark energy and dark matter. Good luck!
Question 1
What is the conclusion of the underdetermination argument?
Your Answer
Score
Explanation
If there are two theories T 1 and T 2 with the same empirical
consequences, then neither theory can be true.
That no two distinct theories can have precisely the same
empirical consequences.
That scientists will never in fact favour one theory T 1 over
another theory T 2 if both have the same empirical consequences.
That one cannot be justified in believing some theory T 1 if there
is another theory T 2 which has the same empirical consequences.
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Question 2
What did the discovery of the anomalous perihelion of the planet Uranus reveal?
Your Answer
That some of the main theoretical hypotheses concerning the
laws of Newtonian mechanics were false and required revision.
Score
Explanation
That some of the auxiliary hypotheses concerning the masses
and orbits of other planets in the Solar system were false and
required revision.
That either some of the main theoretical hypotheses concerning
the laws of Newtonian mechanics or some of the auxiliary
hypotheses concerning the number of planets in the Solar system
were false and required revision.
That both the main theoretical hypotheses concerning the laws
of Newtonian mechanics and the auxiliary hypotheses concerning
the number of planets, their masses and orbits were false and
required revision.
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Question 3
Amongst others, which of the following criteria govern theory choice, according to Kuhn? (Pick
three)
Your Answer
Rationality (the theory should make logical
Score
Explanation
0.20
Kuhn did not list this as a criterion
sense)
governing theory choice.
Accuracy (the theory is in agreement with
experimental evidence)
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Consistency (the theory is consistent with
other accepted scientific theories)
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Testability (the theory is amenable to
empirical investigation)
0.20
Fruitfulness (the theory should be able to
predict novel phenomena)
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1.00
Kuhn did not list this as a criterion
governing theory choice.
Question 4
Friedmanns equation is (dR/dt)2 8GR2/3 = K. But what, in essence, does it tell us?
Your Answer
Score
Explanation
It tells us that the total energy in the universe decreases over
time.
It tells us that potential energy is not real energy.
It tells us that the total energy in the universe increases over
time.
It tells us that kinetic plus potential energy is a constant.
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Question 5
Why are Ia supernovae useful to cosmologists?
Your Answer
Score
Since Ia supernovae all have very similar energy outputs, and
the energy observed from an object lessens with distance, they can
be used to measure distances across space.
Since Ia supernovae all have high energy outputs they light up
surrounding objects.
Since Ia supernovae all have low energy outputs they do not
obscure surrounding objects.
Since Ia supernovae all have very similar energy outputs, and
the energy observed from an object increases with distance, they
can be used to measure distances across space.
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1.00
Explanation
Question 6
Why is the universe less dense now than in the past?
Your Answer
Score
Explanation
Because matter and energy have disappeared from the universe
over time.
Because the universe has contracted over time.
Because the universe has expanded over time.
Because energy has seeped from the observable universe into
other unobservable dimensions.
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Question 7
Which of the following provides evidence for the existence of dark matter?
Your Answer
Score
It explains why the universe is so dark, despite being filled with
matter.
It can be observed using powerful optical telescopes.
It can be observed using powerful radio telescopes.
It explains why the universe is currently contracting.
It explains certain observable gravitational effects, such as the
speed with which the outskirts of galaxies rotate.
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Explanation
Question 8
Why do many cosmologists find the LTB model unattractive as an alternative to dark energy?
Your Answer
Score
Explanation
It violates the Galilean principle, i.e. the assumption that we
occupy a special position at the centre of the universe.
It is simply a less mathematically elegant solution.
It violates the Copernican principle, i.e. the assumption that we
dont occupy any special or privileged position in the universe.
It promotes the idea that the universe is fundamentally
disorganised.
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Question 9
What is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND)?
Your Answer
Score
A rival theory to the Friedmann-Lematre-Robertson-Walker
models.
A rival theory to dark energy and dark matter that rejects general
relativity.
A rival theory to dark matter which explains galaxies flat rotation
curves by assuming that Newtons second law needs be modified
below a certain threshold.
A rival theory to dark energy that explains the accelerating
expansion of the universe.
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Explanation
Question 10
What kind of indirect empirical support might there be for the concordance model?
Your Answer
Score
The testimony of experts (i.e. the majority of contemporary
cosmologists support the concordance model).
The success of classical Newtonian dynamics and general
relativity in other areas of science (i.e. the current cosmological
model is embedded in a larger theoretical framework via which
empirical support accrues).
The failure of classical Newtonian dynamics within a certain
relevant interval.
Testable empirical consequences for the concordance model.
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Explanation
