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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What term refers to a branch of pure mathematics devoted primarily to the study of the integers?
(a) Algebra.
(b) Classical physics.
(c) Geometry.
(d) Number theory.

2. What term refers to the production of nuclei other than those of the lightest isotope of hydrogen during the early phases of the universe?
(a) Quantum gravity.
(b) M-Theory.
(c) Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
(d) String theory.

3. According to the author in Chapter 7, “Absolute Zeros,” thermodynamics led physicists to believe that light was not a particle but what?
(a) An electron.
(b) A vibrating string.
(c) A proton.
(d) An electromagnetic wave.

4. What kind of stars did the Hubble space telescope use to measure the size of the universe?
(a) White dwarfs.
(b) RR Lyrae stars.
(c) Cepheid stars.
(d) Hypergiant stars.

5. According to the author in Chapter 5, “Infinite Zeros and Infidel Mathematicians,” Jean le Rond d'Alembert had satisfied the mathematician's need for what?
(a) Logical rigor.
(b) Spirituality.
(c) An all-encompassing theory.
(d) Theology.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero,” the author states that the Hubble telescope saw that most galaxies were flying away from one another by using red-shifting and blue-shifting effects, the cosmological equivalent of what?

2. According to the author in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero,” the universe may collapse under its own gravity or what?

3. Quantum mechanics eliminated zero in classical thermodynamics by removing what, according to the author in Chapter 7, “Absolute Zeros”?

4. According to the author in Chapter 6, “Infinity’s Twin,” geometry shows that mathematically the north and south poles of spheres do what?

5. What term in theoretical physics refers to an extension of string theory in which 11 dimensions of spacetime are identified?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problem do black holes present in physics, according to the author in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

2. What are differential equations? Who first developed differential equations?

3. How is string theory described by the author in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

4. What problem does zero present when calculating tangent lines? What is a tangent?

5. The author states in Chapter 6, “Infinity’s Twin” that before imaginary numbers could be accepted, several developments had to occur. Which was the first?

6. What does the author say thermodynamics has taught us in Chapter 7, “Absolute Zeros”?

7. Who was Carl Gauss? What discovery did he make regarding imaginary numbers?

8. How did the discovery of imaginary numbers affect the study of algebra?

9. How many dimensions are required for string theory to work? How are these dimensions described in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

10. How old is the universe estimated to be by astronomers today? How did they calculate this age?

(see the answer keys)

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