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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the second law of thermodynamics?

2. Einstein was what nationality by birth?

3. What does the P stand for in combinations of operations?

4. What is entropy?

5. Who discovered the equation that governs the electron?

Short Essay Questions

1. Hawking says that when the universe loses all order, what will happen with life?

2. If quantum mechanics is used, then the universe has always done what?

3. What is ironic about Einstein's involvement in U.S. politics?

4. What is the mathematical problem regarding the origination of the universe?

5. Hawking considers Galileo to be what?

6. What is the difference between string theory and the other theories?

7. Hawking concludes that life is only possible during the expansion phase of the universe for what reason?

8. What might have happened to the black holes left over from the early period of the Big Bang?

9. Addressing the question of why the universe exists was once the job of philosophers, but now is not done because of what reason?

10. Einstein preferred what over the fleeting nature of politics?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on your reading of the book, why does humanity try to understand the universe and what progress has humanity made in understanding it? Please support your answers with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Using examples from the book and statements made by Hawking in the book: Is it important if we view the world as particles, waves or strings and why?

Essay Topic 3

Using what has been presented in the book, what concepts would string theory have to embody in order to be considered the theory that unites the general theory of relativity with quantum mechanics? What issues would string theory have to overcome? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

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This section contains 546 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample