PrepTest 115, Section 3, Question 20
With the approach of the twentieth century, the(454 more words not shown)
The author's attitude toward Planck's(14 more words not shown)
- Astrong admiration for(16 more words not shown)
- Bmild surprise at(8 more words not shown)
- Creasoned skepticism of(8 more words not shown)
- Dlegitimate concern that(14 more words not shown)
- Escholarly interest in(12 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
I'd start with positive: Planck helps explain the experimental results and moves physics toward a better understanding. But each choice adds a particular reason for that attitude. We need that part to fit too.
Working the answers
- A
Planck's work doesn't restore confidence in wave theory's existing picture of atomic processes. It changes that picture by discarding an assumption. The answer praises the wrong achievement.
- B
The proposal seemed bizarre at the time; the writer doesn't express personal surprise at it. Reporting its unusual reception is different from reacting with surprise.
- C
The scientific community initially criticized the lack of a physical explanation. That isn't the writer's overall assessment. The discussion continues through the hypothesis's later support and contribution to lasting theories.
- D
We aren't told that the hypothesis would have been abandoned without Einstein's work, or that the writer worries about that possibility. Later support doesn't establish what would have happened without it.
- ECorrect
Scholarly interest fits the account of a significant step in understanding radiation. The ending says the apparent catastrophe produced a “new vision in physics.” That ties the attitude back to our main point: Planck's proposal helped scientists reach a more accurate account.
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