Feedback Week 3 Quiz: Dark matter and dark energy

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Welcome to the quiz for week 3, on dark energy and dark matter. Good luck!

Question 1
What is the conclusion of the underdetermination argument?
Your Answer

Score

Explanation

If there are two theories T 1 and T 2 with the same empirical

consequences, then neither theory can be true.
That no two distinct theories can have precisely the same
empirical consequences.
That scientists will never in fact favour one theory T 1 over
another theory T 2 if both have the same empirical consequences.
That one cannot be justified in believing some theory T 1 if there
is another theory T 2 which has the same empirical consequences.
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Question 2
What did the discovery of the anomalous perihelion of the planet Uranus reveal?
Your Answer
That some of the main theoretical hypotheses concerning the
laws of Newtonian mechanics were false and required revision.

Score

Explanation

That some of the auxiliary hypotheses concerning the masses

and orbits of other planets in the Solar system were false and
required revision.

That either some of the main theoretical hypotheses concerning

the laws of Newtonian mechanics or some of the auxiliary
hypotheses concerning the number of planets in the Solar system
were false and required revision.
That both the main theoretical hypotheses concerning the laws
of Newtonian mechanics and the auxiliary hypotheses concerning
the number of planets, their masses and orbits were false and
required revision.
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Question 3
Amongst others, which of the following criteria govern theory choice, according to Kuhn? (Pick
three)
Your Answer
Rationality (the theory should make logical

Score

Explanation

0.20

Kuhn did not list this as a criterion

sense)

governing theory choice.

Accuracy (the theory is in agreement with

experimental evidence)

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Consistency (the theory is consistent with

other accepted scientific theories)

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Testability (the theory is amenable to

empirical investigation)

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Fruitfulness (the theory should be able to

predict novel phenomena)

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Kuhn did not list this as a criterion

governing theory choice.

Question 4
Friedmanns equation is (dR/dt)2 8GR2/3 = K. But what, in essence, does it tell us?
Your Answer

Score

Explanation

It tells us that the total energy in the universe decreases over

time.
It tells us that potential energy is not real energy.
It tells us that the total energy in the universe increases over
time.
It tells us that kinetic plus potential energy is a constant.
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Question 5
Why are Ia supernovae useful to cosmologists?
Your Answer

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Since Ia supernovae all have very similar energy outputs, and

the energy observed from an object lessens with distance, they can
be used to measure distances across space.
Since Ia supernovae all have high energy outputs they light up
surrounding objects.
Since Ia supernovae all have low energy outputs they do not
obscure surrounding objects.
Since Ia supernovae all have very similar energy outputs, and
the energy observed from an object increases with distance, they
can be used to measure distances across space.
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Explanation

Question 6
Why is the universe less dense now than in the past?
Your Answer

Score

Explanation

Because matter and energy have disappeared from the universe

over time.
Because the universe has contracted over time.
Because the universe has expanded over time.
Because energy has seeped from the observable universe into
other unobservable dimensions.
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Question 7
Which of the following provides evidence for the existence of dark matter?
Your Answer

Score

It explains why the universe is so dark, despite being filled with

matter.
It can be observed using powerful optical telescopes.
It can be observed using powerful radio telescopes.
It explains why the universe is currently contracting.
It explains certain observable gravitational effects, such as the
speed with which the outskirts of galaxies rotate.
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Explanation

Question 8
Why do many cosmologists find the LTB model unattractive as an alternative to dark energy?
Your Answer

Score

Explanation

It violates the Galilean principle, i.e. the assumption that we

occupy a special position at the centre of the universe.
It is simply a less mathematically elegant solution.
It violates the Copernican principle, i.e. the assumption that we
dont occupy any special or privileged position in the universe.
It promotes the idea that the universe is fundamentally
disorganised.
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Question 9
What is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND)?
Your Answer

Score

A rival theory to the Friedmann-Lematre-Robertson-Walker

models.
A rival theory to dark energy and dark matter that rejects general
relativity.
A rival theory to dark matter which explains galaxies flat rotation
curves by assuming that Newtons second law needs be modified
below a certain threshold.
A rival theory to dark energy that explains the accelerating
expansion of the universe.
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Explanation

Question 10
What kind of indirect empirical support might there be for the concordance model?
Your Answer

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The testimony of experts (i.e. the majority of contemporary

cosmologists support the concordance model).
The success of classical Newtonian dynamics and general
relativity in other areas of science (i.e. the current cosmological
model is embedded in a larger theoretical framework via which
empirical support accrues).
The failure of classical Newtonian dynamics within a certain
relevant interval.
Testable empirical consequences for the concordance model.
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Explanation