Physics: Concepts and Connections, 4th ed., Art Hobson Chapter 1

1
Physics Concepts and Connections, 4th ed., Art
HobsonChapter 1 The Nature of Science
2
Which of the following is not one of the four
general themes or "story lines" that underlie
this course?

• A) energy
• B) how we know what we know in science
• C) the social context of physics
• D) comparisons and contrasts between Newtonian
  and contemporary physics
• E) practical "household" science that you can use
  around your home, your car, etc.

3
Physics could best be described as the study of

• A) forces
• B) energy
• C) matter and atoms in motion
• D) the general principles underlying natural
  phenomena
• E) the laws, or absolute truths, of the natural
  world

4
A primary reason for you to learn science,
according to the textbook's opening section is

• A) it might help you earn a living
• B) science is intrinsically interesting
• C) the world needs your help in dealing with
  today's science-related social issues
• D) so that you can understand how the practical
  devices around you, such as kitchen appliances,
  work
• E) to improve your ability to reason properly

5
Our primary reason for studying the theories of
Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Kepler in this course
is

• A) to learn some history of physics and astronomy
  
• B) to learn about the methods and the validity of
  science
• C) a foundation for our later study of Newtonian
  physics
• D) to see how these early theories of atomic
  physics compare with more recent studies
• E) so that we can understand the structure of our
  solar system

6
How did ancient Greeks such as Aristotle know
that Earth is round?

• A) by noting that ships drop below the horizon as
  they go out to sea
• B) travelers reported that, in northern lands,
  the noontime sun is lower in the sky
• C) the shadow cast by Earth on the moon during an
  eclipse is the shape that would be expected if
  both Earth and the moon were spherical.
• D) all of the above.
• E) Actually, the ancient Greeks thought that
  Earth is flat.

7
Regarding the validity of Ptolemy's and
Copernicus' theories

• A) Ptolemy was proven wrong and Copernicus was
  proven right.
• B) The experimental facts known in Copernicus'
  time tended to support Copernicus' theory over
  Ptolemy's.
• C) They were both good theories, but Copernicus'
  point of view ultimately turned out to be more
  useful.
• D) They were both good theories, but Ptolemy's
  point of view ultimately turned out to be more
  useful.
• E) They were both wrong and useless theories.

8
Of the many different features of the scientific
method, one feature is the most important.
Without it, we should not call a field a
"science." This feature is

• A) the use of mathematics
• B) the use of quantitative measurements
• C) the use of only those theories that are known,
  for certain, to be true
• D) the interaction between theory and observation
  
• E) that the results should lead to some useful
  technological application for example, a useful
  medical treatment

9
Is it possible to prove, for certain, that a
scientific theory is true?

• A) Yes, by means of a single confirmed experiment
  that verifies the theory.
• B) Yes, by carrying out a sufficient number of
  experimental observations.
• C) Yes, by deducing it logically from other
  scientific theories that are known to be true.
• D) No, because it is always possible that a
  future experiment will disagree with the theory.
• E) No, because of the experimental error, or
  uncertainty, that is always present in any
  experimental result.

10
Is it possible to prove, for certain, that a
scientific theory is false?

• A) Yes, by means of a single confirmed experiment
  that contradicts the theory.
• B) Yes, by taking a vote among all of the
  scientists who are experts concerning that
  theory.
• C) Yes, by performing a large number of
  experiments and finding that the outcomes that
  dispute the theory outnumber the outcomes that
  support the theory.
• D) No, because it is always possible that future
  experiments will agree with the theory.
• E) No, because science can never be certain of
  anything.