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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 did the scientists who made the bomb discover about the chain reaction?

2. What critical mass was actually needed for the bomb?

3. What did Heisenberg not understand when he had his moment of clarity?

4. What did Heisenberg’s theory need in order to work?

5. Who was with Bohr when he worked out complementarity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What could have happened to the reactor in Haigerloch?

2. How did Bohr react during the events of Christian’s death?

3. What does Heisenberg say about his understanding of the bomb?

4. What extreme act does Heisenberg claim that Bohr would have been justified in doing?

5. What tendency does Bohr claim that Margrethe has?

6. How was Einstein’s theory important to Heisenberg’s work?

7. What does Heisenberg claim to think about his own plan for talking to Bohr about the atomic projects in Copenhagen?

8. How much more time did Heisenberg think he needed to make his reaction work?

9. How did Heisenberg describe Schrödinger’s mechanics?

10. What does Otto Hahn want to do during the last months of the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Heisenberg both harms and hurts the Bohrs in numerous ways. What does he do to help them, and which of his actions place them at risk? What are the repercussions of both kinds of actions? On the other hand, how do the Bohrs influence Heisenberg’s life?

Essay Topic 2

At various points, Bohr is described as a father figure. In what ways does Heisenberg act as a son to Bohr, and Bohr a father to Heisenberg? Why is this significant for the book? Discuss their first and last meetings in this context.

Essay Topic 3

Many titles are possible for this play. Why has Frayn chosen to title it after the city of Copenhagen when so many other issues are at stake?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 501 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample