Transcript Which of these is a scientific hypothesis?

When at rest on the launching pad,
the force of gravity on the space
shuttle is quite huge—the weight of
the shuttle. When in orbit, some
200 km above Earth’s surface, the
force of gravity on the shuttle is
1.
2.
3.
4.
nearly as much.
about half as much.
nearly zero (micro-gravity).
zero.
(Neglect changes in the weight of
the fuel carried by the shuttle.)
When at rest on the launching pad,
the force of gravity on the space
shuttle is quite huge—the weight of
the shuttle. When in orbit, some
200 km above Earth’s surface, the
force of gravity on the shuttle is
1. nearly as much.
2. about half as much.
3. nearly zero (micro-gravity).
4. zero.
(Neglect changes in the weight of
the fuel carried by the shuttle.)
Consider a giant flat plate that touches the
Earth at one point and extends out into space.
Suppose you slide an iron block along the plane, where
it makes contact with the Earth.
Suppose also that the plate is perfectly frictionless, air drag
is absent, and vo < vescape. The block will
1. continue at constant velocity, in accord with the law
of inertia.
2. increase in speed as the force of gravity on it weakens
with distance.
3. decrease in speed due to the pull of gravity.
4. oscillate to and fro.
Consider a giant flat plate that touches the
Earth at one point and extends out into space.
Suppose you slide an iron block along the plane, where
it makes contact with the Earth.
Suppose also that the plate is perfectly frictionless, air drag
is absent, and vo < vescape. The block will
1. continue at constant velocity, in accord with the law
of inertia.
2. increase in speed as the force of gravity on it weakens
with distance.
3. decrease in speed due to the pull of gravity.
4. oscillate to and fro.
If the Sun suddenly collapsed to become a
black hole, the Earth would
1. leave the Solar System in a straight-line path.
2. spiral into the black hole.
3. continue to circle in its usual orbit.
If the Sun suddenly collapsed to become a
black hole, the Earth would
1. leave the Solar System in a straight-line path.
2. spiral into the black hole.
3. continue to circle in its usual orbit.
Suppose the gravitational force between the Earth and
Moon was turned off and the pull replaced by the tension in
a steel cable joining them. Consider the tension in such a
cable, and its size. The tensile strength of a steel cable is
about 5.0  108 N/m (each square meter cross section can
support a 5.0  108–Newton force).
The cross-sectional area would be about that of
1. a bass guitar string.
2. a typical vertical cable that supports
the Golden Gate Bridge.
3. the Empire State building.
4. Manhattan Island, N.Y.
5. an area greater
than
New York State.
Suppose the gravitational force between the Earth and
Moon was turned off and the pull replaced by the tension in
a steel cable joining them. Consider the tension in such a
cable, and its size. The tensile strength of a steel cable is
about 5.0  108 N/m (each square meter cross section can
support a 5.0  108–Newton force).
The cross-sectional area would be about that of
1. a bass guitar string.
2. a typical vertical cable that supports
the Golden Gate Bridge.
3. the Empire State building.
4. Manhattan Island, N.Y.
5. an area greater
than
New York State.
Ocean tides are produced by
the Moon. Since our bodies are
mostly water, doesn’t the Moon similarly
produce tides in our bodies?
1. Yes, there are biological tides that affect
mood and behavior.
2. Yes, but negligible (less than are produced
by an apple you hold over your head).
3. No, because the water in our body isn’t
free to flow.
Ocean tides are produced by
the Moon. Since our bodies are
mostly water, doesn’t the Moon similarly
produce tides in our bodies?
1. Yes, there are biological tides that affect
mood and behavior.
2. Yes, but negligible (less than are produced
by an apple you hold over your head).
3. No, because the water in our body isn’t
free to flow.
Would observers on the Moon see the Earth
“rise” and “set,” as we here on Earth see the
Moon rise and set?
1. Yes
2. No
Would observers on the Moon see the Earth
“rise” and “set,” as we here on Earth see the
Moon rise and set?
1. Yes
2. No