View a FREE sample

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 numbers that are "infinite" in the sense that they are larger than all finite numbers, yet not necessarily absolutely infinite?
(a) Quantitative numbers.
(b) Transfinite numbers.
(c) Derivative numbers.
(d) Pythagorean numbers.

2. According to the author in Chapter 7, “Absolute Zeros,” thermodynamics have taught us that there are many things we cannot do, such as building what?
(a) A solar calendar.
(b) An adequate polarizing system.
(c) A perpetual motion machine.
(d) A lunar calendar.

3. What refers to an optical telescope that uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image?
(a) A reflecting telescope.
(b) A chromatic telescope.
(c) An Alhazen’s telescope.
(d) A refracting telescope.

4. In particle physics, what refers to a proposed symmetry of nature relating two basic classes of elementary particles: bosons and fermions?
(a) A black hole.
(b) A limit.
(c) Supersymmetry.
(d) Verisimilitude.

5. What term refers to the viewpoint that regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge?
(a) Dadaism.
(b) Archism.
(c) Absurdism.
(d) Rationalism.

Short Answer Questions

1. Johannes Kepler used calculus to determine that planets had what, according to the author in Chapter 5, “Infinite Zeros and Infidel Mathematicians”?

2. How is the Planck relation expressed?

3. When was Lord Kelvin born?

4. What term refers to the production of nuclei other than those of the lightest isotope of hydrogen during the early phases of the universe?

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?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did Max Planck address the problem of the ultraviolet catastrophe?

4. What was discovered by Albert Einstein’s solution to the photoelectric effect?

5. How did the field of quantum mechanics address the problem of zero in thermodynamics?

6. How are electrons described in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

7. How were Georg Cantor’s mathematical principles applied to his theology? Who disagreed with his vision and why?

8. What is expressed through the Rayleigh-Jeans law? How does this law relate to zero?

9. Who devised the concept of a limit in calculus? What problems did the limit solve?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 853 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample