PrepTest 116

Incorrect. Without connecting those predictions to this theory, we can't say that the predictions panning out support it. He could have made that prediction based on another of his theories that had nothing to do with gravity or the curvature of space.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Phenomenon — P and N arrived at Earth from a supernova at the same time.
Implication — Space is curved
Conclusion — This supports Einstein's theory that gravity is a property of space that curves it.

Answer Anticipation:
Wow. Science. Rough.

Don't get lost in the science, however! It's easy to think that you need to know something about astrology in order to answer this question, but you don't even need to know that the science here is actually astronomy (and physics) in order to answer it!

Instead, let's look at the argument structure. We start with an observed phenomenon, which is almost certainly a premise. From that, we get two things that it supports—Einstein's theory, and the idea that space is curved. The theory flows from the implication of the observed phenomenon, so that last statement is actually the intermediate conclusion, supporting the more general theory of Einstein (that's a physics joke, physics students!).

We should take a look at each step of the argument, and not knowing physics can be helpful here—if you're not convinced, then it hasn't provided enough evidence to prove the claim.

So after reading this, do you know why the Ps and Ns arriving at the same time proves the intermediate conclusion—that space is curved? Because we don't. There's no premise establishing that relationship, so here's our first assumption—that Ps and Ns arriving at Earth at the same time is evidence for curved space.

Now, the second step—if space is curved, does that mean that it's done by gravity? Again, no way. There's no discussion of gravity in the premises, so we have another gap.

The correct answer, therefore, could connect these ideas together—gravity is responsible for the curve, which is the only explanation for the Ps and Ns arriving here at the same time.

Answer Explanation:
Ps and Ns didn't arrive at Earth at different times, so this answer establishes that gravity is a property of space itself. This answer supports Einstein's theory and connects it to the observed phenomenon thus strengthening the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Don't get wrapped up in content you don't understand! In fact, use it as a bonus—if you have no clue how two ideas that the argument assumes are connected relate to each other, then that's the assumption of the argument.

Incorrect. These things were detected on Earth, so this answer would establish that Einstein's claims on gravity were incorrect, thus destroying the argument, not strengthening it.

Incorrect. Whether other particles also reached Earth is out of scope since they're not tied into the theories at all.

Incorrect. More evidence can strengthen an argument whether or not there's existing evidence, so this answer doesn't affect the argument.